We covet your prayers for this next term for while our hearts are anxious to return to the work He has called us to our emotions are mixed.  Missionaries’ feelings are often mixed because while we are confident of God’s call on our lives and the work is rewarding, leaving family behind is always one of the more difficult challenges.  This time we not only leave friends, siblings and parents behind, we leave all of our children behind.  We are grateful to God for the strong faith each of them possesses and are confident of God’s protection.  Pray that the Lord will guide each of them into the plans He as laid out for their lives.

We also covet your prayers for the country of Chad.  Developing countries are always struggling with power and stability and Chad is no different. Recent situations include the first local elections ever held which though not connected, has been followed by a country wide shortage in diesel fuel.  Though we have not heard of any unrest we pray that peace would reign and that His word would continue to penetrate the hearts of the lost.  A recent film produce in conjunction with local church is being used to reveal the darkness that has so long entrapped many of the animistic tribes in the south.  If you are interested in watching this film, it has been posted on the internet with english subtitles. http://vimeo.com/35248269 It is not a film produced for entertainment but rather to reveal the darkness found in local initiation practices which have been shrouded in secrecy.  This secrecy has entrapped many generations but with your prayers and God’s help these chains can be broken.  Copies of this film are to be distributed at this year’s general conference.  Pray for its distribution and that it will be well used in breaking the chains of darkness.

Finally as we return to Chad pray that we be empowered for the work that lies ahead of us.  Being away for this long only means that there will be much work awaiting our arrival.  Pray for wisdom, strength and effectiveness in ministry as we seek to meet the practical needs of His servants serving in Chad.  May God enable and bless you as you partner with us in our ministry as the Lord enables each of us to the work he has called us to.  We are anticipating a 3yr term this time.  Many of you have been mailed a copy of our new photo card.  If you do not receive one in the next few weeks or wish to make extra copies you can download a copy by clicking on the “Photo Card” tab on our website.

With gratitude to you and glory to God,
Paul and Kathryn

We wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.  It has been some time since I have written so I will try to catch you up, as much has transpired.  During the late summer we attended a workshop in which I discovered that much of what I was experiencing was the result of much stress and our energies being overspent.  This combined with the passing of numerous close family members in recent history has resulted in the renewing of our energies taking much longer than usual.  We often felt like people of my dad’s generation did when they stated, “my get up and go has got up and went.”  We now feel that we are more ready to take on the tasks that lie ahead.  Part of which has caused re-energizing to take longer is that our home assignment was interrupted by two trips back to Chad for tasks that required my presence.

Back in June I reported to you that I was going to Chad for a “Vision Retreat”.  This was a very profitable time for many reasons.  There was considerable scepticism as to the ultimate purpose of this gathering, however this was quickly dispelled. We became united in our purpose to seek God’s overarching direction for us as missionaries in Chad.  Our gathering consisted not only of TEAM missionaries, but also representatives of several partner organizations alongside whom we work.  As we spent time in prayer and discussed past ministries, current efforts, and future opportunities it became apparent there were several common directions God was leading us in.  After the distilling of these ideas and themes, the recent field conference has determined a vision statement that conveys the direction for ministries in Chad.

“Longing for the light of the Good News to dispel darkness in all corners of the land, TEAM Chad will work hand in hand with national and expatriate believers in order to establish enduring, reproducing, indigenous communities of incarnational, light bearing disciples wherever darkness remains.”

This time was also a good time to reconnect and renew my focus on the work to be done in Chad.  One small downside was that I forgot my anti-malarials at home and recently suffered the consequences, but that is now in the past. Also about this time, Kathy completed an ESL certification course that will help her be more effective as she molds a curriculum to suit the level and needs of the Chadians in our area, while providing them with firm foundations in Biblical knowledge.

In early August we attended a workshop on interpersonal skills being offered by Send International in Michigan.  It was a good week meeting with new people in like ministry, and should enable us to be more effective in our future ministry.  One morning, while there, our son Daniel texted me to state that he was proposing.  By the time we got home they had set the date for their wedding, October 22nd.  Knowing we wanted to be present they felt it would be expedient to try and tie things up, before we got a chance to get away— since then they would have to wait a possible 3 years.  Upon arriving home we re-packed and headed west… all the way, to Vancouver Island, visiting friends and co-workers we have not seen in years.  The missionary family is a blessing and very unique in that one of the fellow MKs we visited I had not seen since I was likely about 9 years old, yet we had so much in common and catching up to do.  We would have liked to spend more time but alas we were stretching things as it was.

Much of September and October were spent getting ready for the wedding and on the 22nd we celebrated with them, in a joyous Christ honouring wedding.  I had the privilege of taking a small part in ceremony with the braiding of the 3 stranded cord signifying the bond and strength of the Lord being woven into the union of Daniel and Christine.  You can see the pictures online by clicking on their names or going to http://dcwedding.singpolyma.net  Christine is a fine young christian that Daniel met while at bible college.  We covet your prayers as they begin their lives together and seek the Lord’s leading.  Daniel is still interested in the counselling field but is also leaning towards a pastoral position.  September also was the beginning of bible college for Jessica and the final year of computer studies for Stephen.  We also covet your prayers for them as they seek God’s direction for their careers and lives.

Now to the future.  We look forward to what God has in store for us in this next term of service.  At present there are few on the field and they are looking to our immanent return as they are overwhelmed with the many tasks at hand.  Unfortunately we have not been able to return due to insufficient support.  With the death of several supporters and the recent huge leaps in the Chadian economy, at one point we were $1400 below the minimum support requirements.  We are happy to report that with several of you, including our home church, picking up new or increased financial support, that amount has been cut in half.  We still have some undetermined amounts that have been promised but we will not receive clearance to leave until we have at least the minimum pledged.  Please pray with us that we will receive confirmation of sufficient support to meet at least the minimum requirements early in January.  As you are aware, our living allowance is less than half of our financial requirements.  Though we are some $3000 short of full support we have cut not only our allowance to the bare minimum but also funds for our ministry.  We covet your prayers that we will have enough to be effective in our ministry because our goal is not to go there just to live but to share the Gospel and facilitate the efforts of the others in Chad doing the same.  If the Lord leads you to partner with us financially we are including a link that will enable you to do so through pre-approved donations directly from your bank.  You can download the form by entering http://weber.teamchad.org/Resources/Weber-Support.doc in your browser, which contains the instructions or by phoning TEAM Canada at 800-295-4160.  We cannot purchase tickets until we get confirmation after which will take time to procure them at a reasonable price, rent our room in the house and sell our car.  Above all we cannot remain or be effective without the regular prayers of each of you so we would covet your prayers for each of these details.  God has already allowed us to see a glimpse of what He may do and we are excited as we await the revelation of His plan for our return in His good timing.  Though this particular return will be a new and likely difficult experience as we leave all of our children behind for the first time, we are confident that our loving Father will supply for us and keep them in His sovereign hand.  We praise Him that they each love the Lord and are seeking to follow Him.

May God bless each of you at this most blessed season when we celebrate God sending his most precious gift for the salvation of mankind and for the part each of you plays in our life and ministry.  We trust our next letter will be in the midst of packing or from the plane.
Merry Christmas
Paul and Kathryn Weber

Here is a note from one of our co-workers, other notes can be found at http://weber.teamchad.org/notes from our co-workers

Lorraine Green:  Paul can fix most anything: vehicles, houses, plumbing, solar equipment, computers, etc.  Kathy has been our MK teacher.  She also uses biblical texts to teach English as a second language to Chadians, and helps with the guest house ministry at Koutou/Moundou.  Paul and Kathy’s work in a support role serves the whole team and allows their colleagues to stay on task.
I have benefited many times from Paul’s ministry of helps.  He fixed my vehicle several times, repaired my toilet, trimmed trees on my station, and performed numerous other tasks.  I’m glad to have them on our team and hope to see them back in Chad soon.  Thank you for your part in supporting them, and our whole team, in Chad.

I am writing this while onboard a flight to Chad. No we are not returning yet… more on that below. We would appreciate your concerted prayers over the next week while I am out of country. I am returning to Chad for some meetings that will steer the ministries there for the coming years. Most of our field staff will be present along with our area director and TEAM’s general director. We will be spending time before the Lord, asking Him to show us His plans and direction for the coming years. We would ask that God make His plans clear to all and that there would be unity among us and His peace in our hearts. We will be evaluating our current ministries as well as looking at new areas and different means of ministry. It could result in radical change or in confirmation that we are doing exactly what the Lord desires at present. Pray that our own thoughts would not get in the way of the Spirit’s leading. I cannot emphasize enough the crutialness of these meetings and the importance of the input of the Holy Spirit. Your prayers on the behalf of all are vital.

On a personal note we would also ask for protection and peace while we are separated. We would also appreciate your prayers for our plans to make a trip west to visit friends and family and arrangements to meet with remaining supporters like you.

As to our plans to return to Chad, we have mentioned before we are in need of support to replace those that have recently gone to glory and the inflation that we all face. We were recently encouraged by some of you who have increased your support and for our home churches recent promotion to which some of you have responded. Our current monthly commitments are however only 75% of the basic level we need to leave. Though we would still like to leave late August, we anticipate having to delay our departure. If you know of any groups of believers that may be looking to take on the support of missionaries we would love the opportunity to share of our ministry with them. Your prayers are coveted in this matter as there are several ministries in Chad that are being managed on a very limited basis as well as missionaries that bear a heavy load in anticipation of our return to share the load.

We are confident of God’s continued call on our lives to serve Him in Chad and look forward with anticipation, His supply as he has proved over and over again in the past. As we wait on Him pray that the Lord will help each of us adjust to the coming separation of leaving of our children behind and venturing out as just 2 of us. We thank God for a good year for Jessica and are glad for her decision to attend bible college for a while as well as some short term missions experiences over the summer and coming year. We are also thankful for the Lords provision for Stephen and Daniel over the past year and for their anticipated graduations in the coming year or so. Again we covet your prayers for the meetings this next week as it is our desire to serve the Lord where and how He wishes and that he will make us effective in His harvest field. We thank each of you that prays and or supports us financially for your steadfastness over the past 12+ years and look forward with anticipation to what He has in store for us.

First we wish each of you a blessed Easter time, as we remember what the Lord endured for each of us and then the triumph of His resurrection.  We were very encouraged as hundreds came to the Lord or recommitted their lives through evangelistic campaigns over the Christmas season.  What has been even more encouraging is the many young evangelists that have given of their lives to try and meet the much needed follow-up as all to often these young lives are lost again from a lack the much needed nurture of these young souls.  As always we covet your prayers for these young souls but also for the 30 some young evangelists that have left home and committed to the task of nurturing them in spite of difficult situations and the lack of finances.  These are the things that keep us going in the face of fatigue, discouragement, and emotional stress.

That brings us to yet another marker in our lives.  We covet your prayers for the family as Kathy’s step-dad Tom Nairn, took a sudden heart attack a couple of weeks ago and this past Thursday went to meet his Lord.  After struggling and hanging on for almost a week after the final prognosis, some visiting friends prayed that the Lord would show his mercy and take Him home.  Within the hour it was evident the end was near and before the day came to a close he was resting peacefully in the Lord’s arms.  The funeral will be held this Thursday the 21th at Rosebank, our home church.  As with my mum I have posted the details on Facebook.  It was a pleasure to be present for his baptism almost a year ago and to watch him grow in the knowledge and truth of the Lord.  Though it is nice to be home when parents pass, 4 in 18months is a little much… in my opinion.  Thanks in advance for your prayers.  Kathy continues to teach her nephew and also has completed her TESOL training.  I have also been helping a recently widowed mum with the renovation of her home for some needed income.  We praise God for his enabling through difficult times.

So…now what?  Well we are now looking to the end of our home assignment and the many things that still lay before us.  We would still like to see many of you before we leave… when is that?  At this time we are looking to the end of August or early September.
So what is on our plate till then:

• Further medical testing, to prevent issues that could complicate our upcoming term of service.
• Trip to Chad for Vision and Strategy meetings, last week of June.
  Pray for needed funds as this is outside of our budgeted expenses. These meetings are very important in that they will shape and define our future ministries in Chad.  All field staff are asked to be there if at all possible as all ministries are being examined as we seek how to most effectively serve the Lord and meet His goals. We praise the Lord has already met half the cost of my ticket.
• We plan to make a trip to the west coast this summer to visit my brother and some good friends and supporters along the way.  Pray for safety and renewal of relationships.
• Caring for any medical issues, pray that time will be sufficient and for doctor’s wisdom to permit them to be properly cared for.
• Training seminar in Michigan first week of August.  One of the goals of home assignment is re-equipping and this seminar’s goal is to make us more effective in our ministry.
• Packing and flying.  This involves so much.

We will be leaving all of our children here at home this time so this will be a huge adjustment for all of us but especially for Kathy as mum and for Jessica as this is the first time for her.  We praise God that Jessica is adjusting well and has enjoyed her “victory lap” at high school.  She seems to be settling on massage and therapy as a career choice but feels that at least a semester of Bible  would be a good prerequisite.   She also has a heart sensitive for missions… (where did that come from )  Pray that God will lead her as she seeks His guidance.  Both Dan and Stephen are nearing graduation as well.  After graduation Stephen plans to remain in the field of web programming for the near future and Daniel is looking to how God will use him in the counselling field.  He and his girlfriend Christine would also covet your prayers as they mould their relationship together.

Looking forward, there have been many issues that will change the dynamics of our ministry.  Many of our national staff have been suspended due to thefts that remain unresolved.  Many of our co-workers who have “held the fort” while we have been home will now be on home assignment during our first year while we “hold the fort”.  And finally not the least of which is the fact that our support is significantly short.  Pray that the required support will come in to permit us to return to the field.

Though this time home has been a mix of emotional strain, we have also had some times of refreshment.  We are now focusing on the tasks that lie ahead and looking to the Lord that supplies peace that passes all understanding.  We have committed our lives to be used of God and not in our strength but by His supply and He has always met our needs.  It is at this time of the year that we remember all that He gave for us.  What we offer back is insignificant in comparison.  Praise and Honour be to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

May God enrich His presence in your life this Easter season,
Paul & Kathryn

WEBER, MARION IVY (PITTAWAY)  

Passed away peacefully at University Hospital, London, Ontario, November 1, 2010.  She was born August 20, 1917 in London ON. Graduated from L.B.I. 1942. Sailed to Africa in 1944 to serve the Lord for the next 42 years. There she was married and served beside her husband Stewart, providing a home for their three children, teaching and serving willingly wherever needed. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Stewart Floyd Weber (September 4, 2009). Survived by her daughter Eleanor Bergersen of Skead, Ontario, and sons Joseph, of New Westminster, B.C., and Paul of Kitchener. Marion is also leaving behind 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.  There will be time of visitation at Memorial Funeral Home from 2-4 on Friday Nov. 5th.  Graveside interment will be held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on Saturday November 6th at 11 am. Family and friends are invited to attend the memorial service on Saturday November 6th at 2 p.m. at Stoney Creek Baptist Church, 2225 Highbury Avenue (North of Fanshawe Park Rd), London. Arrangements entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, 519-452-3770