Author name: Lois Gillespie

Today I feel like breathing a sigh of relief: we just finished converting our internet connectivity from a dial-up connection to a leased line. It appears to be functioning as expected, and people seem happy. 

Tonight Bob is ‘on duty’ at the high school boys dorm while the regular houseparents are on their night off. He is just filling in this time – their normal weekly relief was not available this evening.

Due to the recent robbery here on campus, security has become a major concern. Last Friday, we had a lock down drill. As recently-installed sirens blared across campus, staff and students ran into the closest building, locked the doors and got down on the floor away from windows. All our security guards have a ‘panic’ button in their pockets which can set off the siren and also call local security offices to the school. Some of the measures we are instituting are the same ones that kept students safe at Murree Christian in Pakistan during their recent robbery.

One of the men who was beaten during the robbery spoke Sunday, mixing his testimony in with his story of what happened. The students weren’t here at the time, so it was good for them to hear the details first hand. His topic, “How to Survive When Crisis Strikes”, started with the importance of a secure foundation in keeping your head and was taken from Isa. 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” He concluded with Rom. 8:37, reminding us that “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.” What a blessing we have in our God and in His Word!

Thank you for praying for us.

First, we have cause to praise. All our staff has arrived. Thank you for your prayers in this area.

However, many are not feeling well. A ‘flu’ is making its rounds, hitting teachers more than students at this point. But we know it’s just a matter of time before our students are also getting sick. Unfortunately, when the body’s defenses are down, malaria sometimes kicks in. Please pray for the health of our students and staff.

I’ve received some wonderful e-mails from some of you and I love the news. I hope soon to have a moment to catch up in answering all my e-mails. Thank you for your patience and, again, for your prayers.

Today is the first day of school for the new year. Students seem excited to be back, and parents seem reluctant to leave. Some families have just returned from furlough, so those students are especially glad to be back and see their friends.

We have a few staff members who are still traveling, as well as parents who are returning home; please pray for their safety. Also pray that the sweet unity we are sensing among the staff will not only continue, but will be felt by the students. 

This Saturday, our director and a few other staff and students from ICA, will attend a memorial service for Zoro (the guard who was recently killed here at ICA) in his home village about 3 hours north of Bouake. Please pray that they will be a testimony of God’s love to his family and friends who do not know Him.

And thanks again for your prayers.