This year has seen much upheaval and change. The biggest being the attempted overthrow of the government in February. This was a time in which we saw most of the expatriates, including missionary staff leave Chad. We praise God that we were in a more quiet location and able to facilitate their departures. It required many emails, cell & satellite phone calls and HF radio communication. There were many stories of God’s providence during this time.
With all the instability several families and missions have changed strategies. This often seemed to produced changing plans with the frequency of the rising of the sun each day. This along with other circumstances kept Kathy guessing on the plans for the next school year. At one point there was the possibility of 8 students in 6 grades next year but at this point only 2 students will remain. Several missions have not yet returned, others are only back on a limited basis. One of the families that were planning on returning still have some medical complications to overcome. All this makes planning difficult but we know God is in control and we are here to serve as he enables us. One of the schools recent highlights was raising money through sponsorship, to fight malaria. They participated in an international swim-a-thon and raised enough to buy 150 treated mosquito nets.
We are thankful to God and all those who have helped to make it possible for all of us to return to Canada for a vacation this summer. Pray that we will have good family times and rest as this will also be a time for gearing up for the remaining 2 years of our term. We are thankful also that parts were supplied to enable the Suburban to run again. It should be returning to service when we get back from Canada. It has required considerable more work than I anticipated but is nearing completion. I was able to take it for a successful test drive the other day. Another of my projects has been to research alternative power sources for the Print Shop electrical needs. As you are well aware, the costs of fuel are rising. We have thus begun the plantation of Jatropha, a locally unused plant that produces a bean with a high concentration of oil. Results are still a few years in the future but so far things look hopeful. We should be able to grow 30-50% of our fuel needs. One of the new challenges I will be facing will be that of overseeing the Print Shop during the months of Nov. & Dec. while the printer is in the US for his son’s wedding. I often help out on the technical side of things but have never been involved in production.
One of the highlights for Daniel, and us was a get together that we did for the choir he has been working with at our local church. We opened our house to 15 young adults for a movie and pizza. We presented a film called “The Gospel†which is a modern prodigal son story. It was well received and we trust it had a good impact on their lives. We also had some 20 people go forward this last Sunday and church after a gospel presentation by a local chapter of the Gideon’s. Pray that they will get good follow up as this is often a weak point in the local church.
We also thank those of you who prayed during my recent fight with dengue fever. It was almost 3 weeks of fevers and the recovery afterward is even longer but I do believe the effects are finally over. The plus side is that one supposedly can only get it once, God knows and we continue on in his strength. We thank you for the part you play in helping us maintain God’s work in building his Kingdom. We trust that you too will “mark out a straight path… that those who follow… will become strong.