First Term Updates – Cote d’Ivoire/Senegal

Greetings from Quebec. Although we have no snow yet, we are continually warned that it’s on the way. We’re very content to wait!

When last we wrote, we were happy to have found a church home for this year. We continue to enjoy this church and have had some opportunities to fellowship with some of the french-speakers. This has definitely been an added blessing and helps with our learning. On a Sunday night a few weeks ago, all of us who are learning french (There are five missionary couples at this church.) gave a very short presentation – in French. During a cookie fellowship after the service, we all gathered around our displays and fielded questions – again in French. There are several families from West Africa at this church; Bob finds it very interesting that he can better understand their French – after all, that’s where he has learned most all of the French that he knows.

God is giving us opportunities to reach out to others who are learning French as well. All of us are away from home and some are very lonely and open to friendship. Many are drawn to us missionary couples possibly because we are families like the ones they miss, and possibly because of the light that we bear. We try to include them in our get-togethers and invite them to church with us. Even though witnessing is sometimes difficult because often we don’t share a common language, we have had opportunities to share our faith. Reaching out to these new friends involves ‘teamwork’; one of our missionary friends has shared the gospel with Antonio who has gone to church with us and is interested in coming again as well as attending a Bible study. Sarah, a Muslim, has asked Bob what the difference between protestants and catholics is – the same question Bob’s tutor in Dakar asked of him. Juan, whose mother is a Jehovah’s Witness and whose father will have nothing to do with religion, likes to hang around our EBM co-workers, giving them the opportunity to witness. Please pray for these new friends and others who will cross our paths in the days ahead.

We received very welcome news this week of some increased support. Since we believe that God will provide for us, hearing news like this just reaffirms in our hearts what we already know. We trust that in the new year ahead, we will once again see God fully meet our support needs.

Please continue to pray for the missionaries who will soon be making decisions about their future ministries and for the ICA school board who will need to make a decision about re-opening in 2004. Some missionaries have already made the decision for their kids to continue at Dakar Academy because of the continuing instability in Cote d’Ivoire. As we read the news from Abidjan each day, we can understand their decision even though we are saddened by it.

Please pray for:

• our witness to other students;
• Antonio, Sarah, and Juan;
• unusual God-given ability to learn French;
• peace in West Africa;
• wisdom for ICA school board in their decision making;
• direction for missionaries in determining their future ministries;
• increased support needs.

While people here in Quebec are happy to be having such a ‘warm’ fall with temperatures in the low ’50s, we know we’re in for a very cold winter – definitely not what we’re used to!  Lois is very glad there is a Walmart here, because we’ll probably have to get some heavier gloves, scarves, etc.

We find ourselves just one couple out of many missionary couples here at Laval to learn French. Out of Lois’ class of 17, six are missionaries – all going to West Africa. Some of us are getting together this Friday night for a dinner cooked by a Mexican student; please pray for the witness that we hope to have in his life.

We realize just what a ‘deal’ God provided in our apartment when we talk to other couples and hear what they are paying. Thank you for your prayers!

It seems we’ve found our church home for this year. We attended a church on Sunday whose Pastor speaks very clearly enunciated French. We found it very special to be able to understand the Word again – it’s been a long 4 weeks of going to church and not really getting anything out of the message. I think we forget sometimes how precious the spoken Word is. (Of course, we’d like to think it’s because we’re finally learning…) The Pastor seems very interested in helping us any way he can. He has suggested getting language partners for us within the church who can also help us with homework if we want. It would certainly be a big help! 

We know many of you are considering how you can be a part of our ministry. Currently we are living in Canada at a support level intended for West Africa. Because of your gifts, we’ve managed thus far. Thank you for your part in this, and for the part you will have in the future.

If you’re following the news about the Ivory Coast and West Africa, you’ll know that they are very far from peace. The situation in the Ivory Coast seems to have worsened just within the last week. Please pray for the missionaries who will soon be making decisions about their future ministries and for the ICA school board who will need to make a decision about re-opening in 2004. Although we’re being told by many that there are a lot of French-speaking places where God can use us, our hearts are with ICA, as are the hearts of many others. It was a year ago today that we flew home after being evacuated…it still feels like we left part of ourselves behind.

Please pray for:

• our witness to other students;
• unusual God-given ability to learn French;
• peace in West Africa;
• wisdom for ICA school board in their decision making;
• direction for missionaries in determining their future ministries;
• increased support needs.

We’re finally here! After a summer of visiting churches, we are now in Quebec about to start French language school. Today we had our placement exam; we’ll find out the results on Friday. For now, we are continuing to settle into our God-provided furnished apartment. We are so thankful for the way God has directed in everything so far.  We received word today from our ICA director (the MK school in the Ivory Coast) that the wall around the campus has been completed. We are praising God for this; we see it as another step in preparing for our return next summer and the re-opening of school in August 2004. 

If you have any questions about our needed monthly support and language school tuition, please contact us. We trust that these will continue to come in to our EBM office. Our e-mail address remains the same.

Please pray for:

• needed finances
• ability to learn French
• peace in West Africa.