Time Out for International Christian Academy
I’m writing this newsletter from here in the USA as Lois and I have returned to Ohio for the summer. Since conditions in the Ivory Coast have not settled down enough for missionaries to return, International Christian Academy (ICA) will not be re-opening its doors for the 2003-2004 school year. Our hopes and prayers are that the political situation will continue to improve so that missionaries can return to the Ivory Coast. At that point, ICA can once again provide education for missionary children of West Africa.
When last we wrote, we were at Dakar Academy in Senegal. We knew when we went to Dakar Academy that it was a short-term ministry, so shuffling apartments mid-way through wasn?t that distressing. This summer we alternate between ‘homes’ in Ohio and West Virginia while we visit churches. At the end of August we will move to a small apartment in Quebec as we go to Laval University for further language study until May 2004. We hope at that time to return to our ‘home’ at ICA for the much-anticipated re-opening in August 2004. We’re learning that not only ‘home is where your heart is’ (ours is divided between ICA and here with family and friends), but also ‘home is where you park it,’ and most definitely ‘home is where you make it.’
Graduation 2003 at Dakar Academy was unique in that each school, Dakar Academy and International Christian Academy, received their diplomas from the directors of their respective schools. This year’s theme at Dakar Academy was ‘Blended to Bless’, and although there were many times we wondered about those blessings, we knew God had a plan. We thank Dakar Academy for allowing ICAers to graduate with ICA diplomas.
As Lois and I have put together our presentation and are delivering it to churches, we are reminded each time of how much God has orchestrated over the past couple of years in our two-year introduction to missionary service. I’m not sure how often we get a chance to clearly see the Master Composer at work – maybe it’s because we don’t take the time to stop and listen to and reflect on His symphony. As we reflect upon God’s past plan for ICA, His protection of ICA in July-September 2002, His possible purpose for ICA being at Dakar Academy, and His possible plan for ICA’s future, we are overwhelmed with His tender love and care. Our presentation is entitled “Look What God is Doing” and refers to Luke 8:39 where Jesus instructed a man whom He had cleansed of a demon to return to his village and tell people what great things had been done for him. Included in this presentation is the story of one of the highlights of our stay in Dakar. Some of us had the opportunity to take the students out to the village of Giti for an evangelism and building outreach. During that time, we witnessed a miracle as scores of villagers turned from their idols to Christ through the testimony of Esther, a young lady who returned to her village to share how God had saved her and delivered her from demon possession. We happened to be in the way when God performed a mighty miracle in Giti, allowing all of us to see and experience again that God is still in control and working in the hearts of men. It was a very precious and special ‘end’ for a very difficult and special year.
As mentioned above, currently we are visiting some of our supporting churches and actively seeking other churches to partner with us in our work in West Africa. We urgently need 20% more in monthly support plus funds for French language school tuition. We know this is a huge task in such a short time, but God has shown Himself faithful to us time and time again.
With hearts that are pondering what God is doing, we thank you for your prayers and ask you to pray for:
- increased support needs and tuition needs for language school;
- peace in West Africa;
- growth of new Christians in Giti;
- the future of missions in the Ivory Coast and West Africa;
- the future of International Christian Academy.