We’ve leaving this morning with Gina and Brian to do some sight-seeing etc. I don’t think we’ll be near e-mail, so I’m sending this early.
New staff is arriving as well as some staff returning from furlough. We are feeling like ‘old-timers’ since we can actually answer some of the questions people are asking. It is good not to be the newest rookies. Please pray for safety in all the traveling that will be going on in the next few weeks.
Yesterday, we attended the Baptists Mid-Missions church plant in town where the Abernethies (English) and Holmes (French) minister. Since the Abernethies were away on vacation, Aaron, one of the Liberian Bible college students preached. He talked about Daniel, and put himself in Daniel’s place since his life plans were changed by a forced exile, but God so clearly worked to bring about his salvation. It was a fresh and interesting point of view. Aaron’s heart yearns to return to his country and tell his people about the Lord. Since the goal of church-planting should be to train nationals to carry on when the missionaries are gone, we were glad to see that very thing taking place here in Bouake.
We’ve had a great time with our kids. They’ve helped us with a lot of work-related items, so now it’s time to play. We thank you for your prays for us here at ICA. New arrivals are helping us to move on and not think about recent events so much, but the closed and locked front gate is a constant reminder. The guards are more somber these days, especially Bob’s friend Antoine who was the main guard on duty at the time of the robbery. Although he did everything that he was supposed to do, he feels responsible. Please pray that God would use these reflective times in the lives of our workers, and that we who know the truth would be aware of divine appointments to minister to these people who care for us.