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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.

Dear Friends and Family,

Wow, it’s hard to believe that 2 months has already flown past since our return. Our last few weeks in Canada were rather crazy with a trip to Northern Ontario in the middle of moving Mom & Dad into a care facility. We are thankful to many of you who helped out during those weeks. We are thankful to the Lord for providing a place so quickly for them and though downsizing is always difficult; all went remarkably well, including the sale of their home with only one showing.

We then packed in a flurry of loose ends, leaving Stephen with many things to take care of and many notes of instruction. We are thankful the since our departure he seems to be doing well with several grandma’s doting on him. The Lord has also supplied enough renters for him to fill the house and seemingly manage financially. He now looks forward to his first Coop work placement. We covet your prayers for a good job that will not only provide him with the skills he needs but also the finances he will need for the ensuing semester.

We spent a few hours in the Paris airport resting before arriving safely in Chad, along with all of our luggage. We spent a couple of days in the capital buying supplies before driving to our village in the south. We had only just over 2 weeks before school began for Kathy. We unpacked the necessities the first week then shifted into high gear. Kathy was still preparing the 1st week’s lessons the night before school began and only now feels somewhat back on schedule. I discovered the answer to a question I was often asked, “Who is doing your job while you are in Canada?” Not much was done, just the jobs piled up. One of the most pressing was that the generator had only fuel and oil changes done and the radiator was 80% plugged and ready to overheat at any time. This required first installing the new backup generator which had come in the container. I also have made several attempts at resolving the issue of getting an official permission to install and run the Internet VSAT systems for us and several other mission agencies ministering in Chad. Ironically since arriving I have helped set up a couple of systems for Chadian organizations which has given me some helpful insights. I have also made some new M contacts, who I trust will see Christ in my life. I have met with the governor of our Province regarding permission for the VSAT but to not avail other than to be advised to submit a request to the Minister of Interior (2nd in command). Please pray that the Lord will work in his heart to grant us free usage this equipment. I have also got the Suburban as far as the garage and un-seized the doors. I hope to make more progress in the next few weeks Lord willing. Daniel, wanting to examine African music more closely, got involved in our church’s choir, this quickly evolved into playing with them in a performance at another church. We trust his experiences will be memorable and formative during this, his last year with us on the field. Please pray also for Jessica as school via internet requires one be very self motivated and she finds this very difficult.

We have been very busy but God gives us strength each day as we meet the needs of the Kingdom team here. We trust that along with us, you are “always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain.

Many thanks for your effective prayers on our behalf,

I want to begin by thanking each of you for your faithfulness in prayer and sharing your finances with us throughout 2006 for ministry in Chad. We have had several opportunities to share of our work over the past several months and look forward to more opportunities to do so. It is hard to believe that half of our time home is almost complete with many of you yet to connect with. I do not have dates set but plan to return to Chad for a couple of weeks early in the new year to set up Internet communication links for several mission organizations there. We covet your prayers for trip details effectiveness in ministry and for the family while I am absent.

If you have not heard, Chad continues to face many unsettling situations with refugees flooding in from both Sudan and the Central African Republic. These combined with political instability make ministry in several areas difficult. We praise God for the safety of missionaries working in these areas and pray that the resolutions will be made peacefully.

I continue to arrange for the purchasing and delivery of many things and equipment to be shipped to Chad in the coming year that will serve the missionaries in their work. I thank the Lord for enabling us to save several thousand dollars recently on the purchase of a new diesel generator for the print shop.

Kathryn will begin her final semester of teachers training in January at Heritage. She will be taking 3 courses. Pray that she will be able to finish well.

We are very pleased to announce that this past weekend all three of our children followed the Lord in believers baptism at our home church. It was a very joyous occasion that resulted not only in their public confession of faith but also the salvation of one of Jessica’s friends from school that was in attendance. Praise God !

We are also thankful that Stephen will be attending Urbana this year along with some classmates. Daniel and Jessica will be attending Youth Quest in Niagara Falls at the same time which is a spiritual retreat for all BIC youth from North America.

Though we have never been at full support we felt that it would be appropriate to give you our support targets to enable you to pray specifically for these needs. At our current support level we cannot return to service in Chad. The Lord has always supplied for our needs and we are trusting Him to supply our needs so that we can plan our return to Chad for July 07.

Once again we thank you for your faithfulness in partnering with us whether physically, financially or in prayer. All are vital for effective ministry.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas