Dear Friends & Family,
Today is one of those days of mixed feelings. I bring you both good news, answered prayer and difficult situations.
I will begin with the good news. As you know we have been praying together for about a year now for the delivery of the containers that carry goods for missionaries here in Chad. Specifically for 4 ministry/projects in critical need of supplies, and supplies for the life and ongoing ministry of 14 missionary units serving with 5 different missions here in Chad.
THEY HAVE ARRIVED in town today. I saw them with my own eyes. Please continue to pray that Lord willing they will clear customs tomorrow and the missionaries can begin taking possession of their goods this coming weekend. As you know I have returned to Chad by myself to clear these goods. I was supposed to be here for only 2 weeks but this has become a little over a month. The transport inland as usual has been full of false information and misleading promises. I am quite used to this as this is how business functions in this country though I still wish that these old habits would change. That being said the containers are here and in half the time that it often takes them. We are thankful to God for his mercy and pray that the goods are intact and soon to be serving His work here in Chad.
This delay however is part of the difficult situations I must share. Minor issues have been that I have had to change my airline tickets twice though I have not wasted my time and been able to cover some other maintenance issues while here. Unfortunately I have not been at home to handle some of the issues there like our recently acquired car seems to have developed some As you know Kathy and I do not like being apart and this this has been a stretching time for both of us and mostly for Kathryn as she had to handle a presentation at our church by herself, which though we usually both share I usually do most of the prep work. This brings me to the most difficult of all in that while getting ready for this key presentation Kathryn’s dad took a second stroke which quickly revealed that his days were if very few number. Most of the family was able to visit however during that time and this morning he passed away. Unfortunately the timing is such that I will not be able to join them. Please pray for the family in the coming days as they go through the process of grief.
Finally God continues to overwhelm us through the practical love shown to us by many of you. We currently have 75% of the cost of our vehicle either received or pledged.
Thank you for your prayers, they have not gone unheard and we celebrate the answers he bring is His own sovereign timing.
Paul for the family.
Link to picture of Container, more to come in the next few days.