First Term Updates – Cote d’Ivoire/Senegal

Although the yellow flag of caution is flying outside our front office and the US Embassy has recommended delaying all unnecessary travel, we remain ‘safe’ here at ICA on this day when we are all praying for a peaceful anniversary of 9/11. We’ve shared with you by way of BBC and CNN some poignant moments of remembrance, and will continue to do so throughout the day. Our hearts are with you even if we are not, and we are holding special prayer vigils throughout the day.

Please know that we love you and WE are supporting YOU today in prayer.

Today we are celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary – something else to praise the Lord for. Also, one year ago at this time, our container arrived here at ICA – something for which you were all praying and something more for which to praise the Lord

Our fellow EBMer got word yesterday that his container arrived in the country, so he is in San Pedro trying to work through the details of getting it released and on its way to ICA. Please pray that he will be able to do so quickly and without additional unplanned expenses.

We are still short-handed with teachers for the elementary. Not only are some of our classes combined, but we are using qualified staff ladies who have pre-schoolers and would rather not be teaching. Please pray that the Lord will provide one more elementary teacher for this year – soon!

In my Bible study this week, I’ve been comparing the praise songs of Mary and Hannah. It occurred to me that all of the things they were praising the Lord for were part of events that weren’t so pleasant, but God brought beauty from ashes. Please pray with us that He will do so again, and bring about the salvation of our security guards who still do not know Him – as a result of loosing their friend Soro one month ago. 

Thanks for remembering us in your prayers.

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.