Dear Outreacher: 

Greetings in that Name -- above all names, even JESUS – our Savior and Lord!

            We are rejoicing that the Cassette Discipleship Program (CDP) is maturing and meeting desperate needs all over the World.-- This became imminently clear at the CONVOCATION.

            Yes, the CDP CONVOCATION 2006 is now history, but it will continue to resonate in our hearts and minds for a long time.—Providing guiding lights for  the future of CDP.

            We were initially stunned when six of our nine Continental Coordinators could not get visas. Last minute USA HOMELAND SECURITY requirements were imposed without time to comply.

      Three Continental Coordinators were able to attend:  Pastor Prince Paul Konu of CDP-AFRICA / Ghana; Dr. Andre Talla of CDP-AFRICA / Cameroon; and Mr. David Peters of CDP-INDIA. We were sorry that Dr. C. D. Jebasingh of CDP-INDIA could not attend – he has been so instrumental in the development of CDP-INDIA as well a true mentor and encourager for most of the CDP leadership World-Wide. Indeed, Jeba was many times over, a true miracle of God’s Grace.

Here we are in preparation for the CONVOCATION Dinner – note the two outstanding “Cameroonians” –

 (1) Far right, Dr. Andre Talla in regal garb (a very beautiful and fancy green with shinny bright green accented appliqués on the tunic and pants) and (2) Jim Ford at the very center sporting a bright yellow with orange and green appliqués on both tunic and pants. (Dr. Talla brought this outfit as a present for Jim).  All I can say – we two were magnificently bright! 

The other three gentlemen from the left are: Troy Majeska, Pastor Konu and  Dr. Butare standing rather furtively between the ‘magnificent’ ones!

            In that light, we had desired that Missionary Dominic Bertrand of Belgium could be with us also, -- He was directly responsible for bringing our WEBSITE: me-intl.org to the attention of the Tallas.  They in turn brought over a hundred countries into CDP.  PTL indeed!  Illness prohibited Brother Dominic from traveling. He too was another miracle from our Father-God! 

            Significantly, and also a true miracle of God’s preparation, the Tallas had trained some 400 Evangelists and Pastors, over the last 15 years, in their Institute. These were primarily from Africa, but also from all over the World. – yes, these were prepared and ready for CDP.  Miraculous – I guess!!

            I would say that we can expect added miracles! Right? Right!

The CONVOCATION spirit brought a wonderful bonding -- quickly, finding fellowship very sweet indeed! Remember that prior to this, most all contacts had been by Internet messaging and WEBSITE ‘exhortation’.

            Highlights of the CONVOCATION included detailed presentations by each attendee, an important presentation by Ross Lange of Global Recordings, and special training on the new Ambassador audio units by Charles Cibene of MegaVoice as well as our final CONVOCATION Dinner, where Pastor Prince Paul Konu and Dr. Andre Talla spoke – pouring out their hearts related to the ministry and need for the Cassette Discipleship Program. A common ‘theme’ emerged – “WE NEED EQUIPMENT”.

Here are most of the CONVOCATION participants – standing, from left to right:

Dr. James Butare, M/E Director for Africa; Troy Majeska, M/E Director; David Peters, CDP-INDIA Continental-Coordinator; Pastor Prince Paul Konu, CDP-Africa-4 Continental-Coordinator; Dr. Andre Talla, CDP-AFRICA Continental Coordinator: Lyle Majeska, M/E Vice-Pres Media; and, seated: Jim Ford, M/E President..

            We had very serious times, very blessed times, very thoughtful times, training times, and planning times -- and there were just plain fun times. Troy took the three attendees (Konu, Peters, and Talla) to Disneyland for an afternoon and evening – they had a great time. Their tickets and even front row seats at Fantasia were provided by Mr. Craig Smith, a friend of my daughter and her husband. He is a manager at Disneyland. Thank you Mr. Smith for treating these great people to a wondrous day of play that they won’t soon forget!  

        We confirmed our total VOLUNTEER operating strategy with a note that specific Overhead items related to Continental and Country Coordination activities will be taken into consideration as funds become available. This may include, from time to time, gifts to the VEs of non-monetary items such as Bibles or items of clothing. Again, these all depend upon funding available and adequate to meet our programmatic cash flow requirements. This all must be kept in the context of each Country being autonomous and willing/able to share in the day to day operating expenses.   Our M/E International Board and Staff are always open to suggestions and new ideas. Even so, always remember we are only able to provide for equipment and Overhead items as the funds come into us.

David Peters of CDP-INDIA had to leave on the 23^rd so missed this dinner. We certainly missed hearing from him directly at the dinner, as well as those that could not get visas to be with us.

By the way, David is the new Executive Director of the Galilean group there in India which directly oversees CDP-INDIA.  He will soon take on the full “Jeba” mantle as Jeba desires to see David’s energies directing the work there.  We expect David to take the CDP to new and expanded heights to meet the immense needs of the some 800 Million Ignored, Forgotten, and LOST souls out in the villages of India. Pray for David and the incredible need there in India.

            Interestingly, one of the driving inputs to have the CDP CONVOCATION 2006 was our need to start training National leadership with the AMBASSADOR Unit – it being a rugged, solid state (no moving parts) device, very small with powerful audio and rechargeable batteries from solar cells built in. Interestingly, the total cost of deploying the Ambassador versus the hand-cranked tape players is greatly in favor of the Ambassador Unit, especially when considering size, weight, lower shipping costs, no added cost cassettes, wear and tear and security of messages.

            Our plan is to switch over to the Ambassador Unit as early in 2007 as possible. To this end, we purchased 80 units and a Scribe Unit, with the idea of establishing CDP-Ghana as our prime ‘Prototype’ for the Ambassador Unit as soon as possible. Both Pastor Paul and Dr. Talla were trained with the process and Scribe unit, and our Director Troy Majeska plans to honeymoon in Ghana and Cameroon circa December/January 2006/2007. He will help them get set with their procedures and capabilities for placing  cassette masters into their computer to process for submission to MegaVoice. MV will then configure the messages for the Ambassador Units and return them to Ghana via an Internet attachment or a CD mailed to the fields. CDP-Ghana will copy from their computer for insertion into their Scribe Unit. Thereafter they will load as many Ambassador Units as they want for that particular message set..  This process allows them to update their messages in future days as they desire.

            As messages become available in the various languages, MV can pre-load the Ambassador Units prior to shipping to the fields.  This is always an initial option available to us.

We have a great Partnership ongoing with both Gospel Recordings and MegaVoice. 

This involves both acquisition of equipment and cassette messages, but alsoWhere the President of MV  plans help us locate funding for the Ambassador Units! WOW!

            Charles Cibene has also put us in touch with a generous and dedicated group called “Audio Scripture Ministries (ASV)” in Holland, Michigan, that have excess cassette players on the shelf – they are even now donating/shipping a first group of 400 players to us for use in China and Africa.  PTL, how HE leads and encourages – providing in ways beyond our imagination. We have already started contacts to allow these units to be shipped to China and Africa.  It is interesting; I understand that these units were actually manufactured in China a few years ago. – Now going back to evangelize!!

Here is Charles Cibene of MegaVoice demonstrating a particular element  in loading an Ambassador Unit.

            Also, pray with us about several key contacts that are on our docket – we want only His good and perfect will in all these matters. Pray too for added dedicated VOLUNTEER staff people that will come along side to help facilitate many of our ongoing activities. General business, technical, shipping and/or computer talents useful.

            A year ago we had about 700 VEs reported ministering; in June of this year we had just over 6,000 reported ministering and now expected by this time next year to exceed 24,000 VEs ministering 3-to-1 new candidate VEs being trained on the job. This is their challenge – they are doing it! – Our challenge is to enable them with equipment!

            It is a fact – we can place over $1 Million in equipment right now if the funds were available. Similarly, $4.8 Million next year! With such funds we could pace their efforts in reaching out to the LOST of their countries.

             REMEMBER – each country’s leadership has dedicated themselves to reach out to all of their villagers by the end of 2010 AD. –

We want to effectively ENABLE them on a timely basis.

How to Help!

• P R A Y – yes, the fervent prayer of righteous men avails much!
• Talk up the CDP process – its exclusivity to all Nations.
• The need for equipment for ministering VEs – at $200.00 per VE.
• Pray for all the Village Evangelists (over 9,000 now) – all volunteers.
• Donate for equipment (now need $1,000,000).
• Donate for master recording (now need $90,000).
• Pray for our Continental and country leaders – all volunteers.
• Ask our Father-God for His funding to meet or exceed their needs.

Waiting on our Father-God

Yes, we find no other course of action as productive as “Waiting on HIM”.

In His time, He will touch hearts to do it! – until then, we are proceeding on the course that He has set for us – and for them -- as they in the field are ministering even without equipment.  Many precious souls are being brought to Jesus!

  J. R. Jim Ford, President

     M/E International, Inc. . 

655 Shadow Lake Drive .  Brea,   California . 92821  

 714/624-3547     e-mail:   cdp767usa@aol.com