Praises were offered yesterday in our All Staff meeting for improved conditions in the local area. As most of the bandits who were responsible for the recent robberies have been apprehended (and killed), we aren’t hearing of any more thefts taking place in town. Some have even felt safe enough to venture ‘out to eat’ in the evenings.
As our trimester is coming to an end (only 2 more weeks), we are amazed at how quickly time has flown. We will soon be 1/3 of the way through our first year. We praise the Lord for the warm reception we received here and for being able to jump right in to the ministry without being made to feel like rookies. (Although at times, our rookie status definitely shows.) Adjustments have been less than expected, and we’re sure this is because of the willingness of all around us to help wherever they can.
But the tough times are coming, and this is what we ask you to pray for. Holidays have always been very special for us as we gather with family, especially at Thanksgiving. We are told that there are some wonderful traditions here at ICA to help us through these times. We are also planning on traveling with a missions team from our home church to Mali over the break; this will help fill some of the ‘void’.
Pray for our families back home, also. Although we all rejoice in how the Lord has placed us here, we will all still feel the ‘missing’. I know your prayers will go a long way in helping us through this time of celebration.