Dear family and friends:
Last month, well a little longer than that I sent you “Part 1”.
I trust you have not been too anxious awaiting “Part 2″Â The reason for dividing it was because first I had too many subjects to cover and also I was caught between sending off our, so very helpful team, and receiving our boys for Christmas… was it that long ago?
It was a wonderful time that we had together as a family, a real boost to each of us. We had many special moments together… yes that meant Stephen and I huddled around our computers a lot and I tried desperately to catch up on many new developments. Mostly we just “hung out” like families do. It was sad to see them go in January and the course of our near future was set, as we sent home the first of Jessica’s things with them… to stay. Yes after this upcoming home assignment we will be “empty nesters”.
Please Note – One of the things we are trying to improve is how our letters are sent to you so I have spent many hours pouring over and combining many address lists. This was largely due to me changing computer systems. I think I have got a handle on it and this letter is coming to you from our on-line news mailer that we have set up. If this address is not the preferred one, or you are receiving more copies of the letter than you want, now would be a good time to help me streamline things by sending me the address(s) you would like the news to come to. If you wish only a text notification of our letters then follow edit your profile.
We also praise the Lord for a very rare opportunity. As you know we have had 
the same vehicle (plus ou moins) since we came to the field in 98. It ran well for our first term but since then we have mostly depended on the graciousness of others. God has been good and we have always had one to use if needed. Earlier this term I was able to install a new transmission in the suburban which solved its mobility however the brakes have since ceased to work and the body has seen better days. Bottom line it is simply not worth more investment so I am planning on selling it as soon as it is somewhat roadworthy. This and a small amount we have saved will go towards what we feel is an opportunity we did not believe we would have. A missionary couple is retiring from the field and selling their 5yr old Land Cruiser with only some 27,000 kms on it, and they have been the sole owners! Finding such a vehicle here is near to impossible and they are asking a fair price of only $35,000 for it. 
This sounds like a lot, and it is but here in Chad, that is a good deal. They paid almost twice that for it and have treated it well. On the open market it would fetch 45-50,000. They have also agreed to give us time to raise the funds for it, with the privilege of using it in the meantime! This is a real blessing and it will likely serve us the rest of our time here in Chad, Lord willing. If you feel led to participate in this special project please note “Weber Vehicle Fund” on any funds forwarded to TEAM for this purpose. Depending on the sale of the suburban we still need to raise between 25-30,000 CAD. Pray with us for God to supply this funding.
As many of you know I was trying to arrange for the shipment of goods for the missionaries here in Chad, via sea container back in April 09. The Christian organization that warehouses and arranges for the shipping of the goods has gone through some major difficulties this past year. The manager has suffered a stroke (or two) and it seems as though they have also succumbed to financial difficulties, which are likely partially due to the poor economy during this time. We (TEAM Chad) has advanced them a large sum to help with this problem but health and other reasons have caused communication to be difficult and unclear. Late last year we engaged someone state side to try and help and here too communication broke down and the affair has now been handed over to a business manager at TEAM headquarters in Wheaton IL. Please pray that whatever is causing the hold up to be removed as much of the goods are desperately overdue for vital ministries here in Chad. To list a few it includes, paper for the Print shop, a drilling rig for a remote village ministry, setup goods for new missionaries already on the field… like refrigerator, home school material that was to be used in September, and many other ministry and personal items. Needless to say these things are urgently needed. Even if they were to ship this month, it would be a slim chance that they would arrive for me to be able to deal with them. Pray then that God would also expedite its delivery here to Chad.
As I mentioned our home assignment is coming up this summer. We will be arriving home a little early for our niece’s wedding as Jessica has the privilege to take part in this the end of May. This has put somewhat of a time crunch on Jessica for her studies and for Kathryn as she tries to schedule in the remaining classes for the ESL course she teaches. Her students continue to be eager though a few have dropped out due to other commitments. They have all successfully completed 2 of 3 beginner level sections. The goal is to complete the entire beginner level before leaving for home assignment. One of the students has dropped out due to sickness which seems to be connected to spirit oppression. Her father is one of our station workers and an elder in the church. Please pray for victory in this situation. Many here in Chad are still bound by their animistic background of spirit worship.
Another significant event is that in the last weeks the Evangelical Church of Chad (EET) has elected a completely new leadership team. It was an unusual kind of election as it was done by lot. This was highly supported in the hopes of preventing tribal domination that often happens and rather to let God have complete control. Pray for the new leadership as they assume their new roles and “learn the ropes”. Pray that God will give them wisdom as they lead the church in the next few years. At this annual convention the film exposing the rite of initiation was also released. It was fairly well received but the final outcome is still to be seen. Pray that it will be used to bring victory over the evil ones’ hold on even many within the church.
In the remaining weeks I have a house to get ready for a Korean missionary couple who will be moving onto the property while we are in Canada. They plan to be involved in a radio ministry to the west of our village. Pray for the Snyders who manage the Print shop and had to leave suddenly as his father is critically ill. They anticipate being back before we leave. We also covet your prayers for Stephen as he continues his co-op studies in the computer field and for Daniel who continues to pursue his studies at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener.
As you can tell by this letter the last number of weeks have been somewhat of a roller-coaster with plans and situations changing often. We continue to covet your prayers as we are sustained by them daily. This last year of our term has been exciting to see Gods provision. We look forward to seeing you in the coming year and sharing of the work that God is doing here in Chad.
With gratitude for God’s grace and your years of partnership,
Paul, Kathryn & Jessica
As a final note we encourage you to join 
us in an opportunity to lock arms with others, join in His work and really make a difference: For the first 100 days of 2010, TEAM is challenging to join in a campaign called Everyone One Hundred From January through early April, you’ll get weekly emails with great information and important prayer requests from around the world. Your prayers are vital! Plus, you can join in the effort even further by giving financially, if God puts that on your heart. There is no obligation, and it’s easy to sign up at www.TEAMeveryone.org