Author name: Lois Gillespie

Thank you for your prayers on my behalf. I am feeling better, although I still have a nagging cough. Fortunately I didn’t also come down with malaria.

Your prayers were also answered regarding the sale of our house. The closing was Friday. God’s timing was perfect for all concerned since we had renters who needed a place for the 2 months since we moved out. 

This week in Cote d’Ivoire is Reconciliation Week. The 2 major political parties need to reach some agreements peacefully, or the country looses the possibility of aid from the World Bank. So far things are peaceful, but authorities both here in Bouake and in Abidjan are expecting demonstrations, possibly violent. Some stores have boarded up their windows, and there aren’t as many street vendors as usual.

Next week on Monday our 8th graders will be traveling to a camp about 5 hours from here for their Outdoor Ed week. So far the trip is still planned, but it could be canceled at the last minute. Bob and I will be going along as sponsors.

Thanks again for your prayers. We also pray for you and for what God is doing in America. We hear good reports from some on His work. Thanks for sending that news.

This will be short. There is a virus going around and Lois has it. It usually lasts 2-3 days. We got word that our house is closing this week. That is an answer to prayer. Now we can get a car to get us around over here. My classes are going well. I am working with the Jr. High and that can be a challenge. They are all good kids. The administration could use prayer for wisdom. They try to strike a balance between fear and carelessness. The US embassy has urged caution for all US citizens, but life goes on pretty much as usual. I am supposed to go on a week of Outdoor Education experience with the 8th grade. It is in the north east part of the country about 5 hours away. That outing is in question but not canceled yet.

“Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, for he trusts in thee.” Isa. 26:3

This verse from my quiet time this morning was a special reminder of where our peace comes from. How meaningful it is right now to all of us to be able to say, “I trust you, God,” even when we don’t understand why things are happening. It’s that trust which brings us peace.

Although things still seem quiet around here, some of us were scheduled to attend an African International Educators conference next week in Abidjan which has now been canceled at the recommendation of the American Embassy. There would have been Americans (as well as other nationalities) from all over Africa flying in for this conference, and I guess they felt it was too high-profile at this time. One mission agency in Cote d’Ivoire whose kids attend ICA has made the decision to ‘pull out’, and will be leaving in December. They have been the target of multiple break-ins and robberies. These conditions are hardest on the ‘old-timers’ who knew this country when it was the most stable country in West Africa. They are having to change the way they’ve always done things, and eliminate activities from their lives which were always safe. We knew what we were getting into when we came; we’re just now choosing our activities, and don’t know anything different. Our expectations were that anything outside of America wouldn’t be as safe. (How little we knew!)

We ask again that you pray for the sale of our house. We have temporary renters now, but when they’re gone, we’ll have to make the house payments until it sells – out of our support. Also pray that we can get some of the supplies needed here at ICA since short-termers who were bringing them have now understandably canceled their trips.

Remember that we pray for you as you pray for us.