Dick Baugh's Zimbabwe Mission Trip

Dear friends and family,

In February of 2017 I'll be going to Africa, specifically Zimbabwe, for most of the month.  I'll be traveling with Al Serhal, Executive Director of Hippo Valley Christian Mission.  We'll both be teaching courses at Zimbabwe Christian Collage in Harare, the capital city.  I'll be teaching first year students a course in "apologetics".  If you're not really sure about that topic, here's a little background:

"Apologetic" comes from the Greek word "apologia", meaning to "defend or to give a defense of".  In the case of biblical studies, the word is found in 1 Peter 3:15, which reads, 
   But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to any who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. . . " (NIV)

That word "defense"  in that verse, is apologia. 
My focus will be on the first eleven chapters of Genesis, teaching my students how to defend the historical accounts from creation week through: our first ancestors' act of rebellion against God's word in the garden; to the flood in chapters 6 - 8; to the building of a city, Babel, and tower to "make a name for themselves" and the dispersion that followed.  This will be a study of the first 2,000 years of biblical history and affixing the major accounts on a timeline to get a better understanding of how all that history relates. 

The teaching of evolution along with the "millions of year's ideology" is a direct assault on the early, foundational chapters of Genesis, and those worldviews will be addressed.  Either the history of Genesis is a true history of the universe, or man's ideas gives us truth.  I make the case - in class - that God's word provides us with the absolute truth!

Some of the topics I'll cover include:  Worldviews, Creation in Six Days, Dinosaurs and Dragons in the Bible, What the Bible says about Race, The Ice Age, Who was Cain's Wife?, Reasons the Earth is Young, The Earliest Civilizations, etc...

In addition, I will have the opportunity to speak at the Zimbabwe Ministry Conference, at which our preachers from all over the country, about 200 men, will be meeting for training, encouragement and prayer.  I'll also have opportunity to preach on Sunday mornings out in the "bush".  God has been opening doors for me, nudging me forward in this project, and those are doors I must walk through.

I'm asking my friends and family to help me with the expenses so that this teaching adventure will be possible.  Any size donation will help.  The total amount I'll need is $3,885 to cover all travel to and around Africa and all meals while there.  At trip's end, I'll put together a DVD presentation for you so you can share in this mission trip.  The deadline for the needed funds is December 31, 2016.  Let me know through Facebook or Email if you need a mailing address to send a check.

I've been a student of creation studies for over 14 years and take every opportunity to share what I've learned with anyone who will listen.  Teaching scripture has always been my "forte" and the opportunity to teach subjects that are not normally taught in our churches is really exciting.

The best part in this adventure for me, is being able to help build a more solid foundation in the lives of future ministers and Bible teachers in this country that is open to the gospel.  Jesus said "Go", and this is my opportunity.

Thank you for any consideraton in helping fund my trip - whether in donation or prayer.

In Christ,
Dick Baugh