What can we say? It seems that our roles are reversed, and today we are praying for you as we watch what happened in America on Tuesday. We share your shock that something like this could happen in the ‘safe’ United States. ICA held a special prayer meeting last night for America and especially the families of the victims, and we continue to pray today.

So far, we’ve had no repercussions here, except that we’ve been advised by the embassy to stay on campus and not venture into town. Neighborhood response here will depend greatly on what is done to catch and ‘punish’ the perpetrators. Although it could cause us some discomfort, I think we all are behind President Bush as he seeks to bring these people to justice. So many have voiced the desire to be in America with their loved ones just to reassure themselves that everything is OK. That’s where e-mail has been great as we all got news from friends and family almost immediately.

We ask that you continue to pray for the sale of our house. As is usually the case, there are some last minute ‘kinks’ in the sale that need to be worked out.

But most importantly, we want you to know that we are praying for you tonight. Psalms 3:5 says “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.” Those verses came to mind last night as I was having a hard time sleeping. Our only sure comfort is not in a country, but in the Lord

WOW! We really thought life in Africa would operate at a much slower pace, but we were wrong! With unpacking our container and trying to keep up with our workload, we’ve really been busy. But, we praise God that we have our container to unpack – it’s great to be surrounded by some familiar things from home. Thank you again for your prayers.

It is said that “No news is good news”, and that’s how it is this week. Conditions have settled somewhat in town, although one of our workers was robbed of his moped on his way home last week – a substantial loss for him. The work on the ‘wall’ around ICA continues even though we know our true safety is from the Lord; the U.S. Embassy here has strongly suggested this precaution.

As you remember us in prayer tonight, spend some time thanking God for how He has and is providing. Not only has our container arrived, but we are in the final stages of selling our house. God has again been good!

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. We don’t want to get too excited, but it looks like we may have our container by the first of next week – in time for our 25th anniversary! The latest news this morning was that they will have a final money figure for us tomorrow, and once that is paid they will release our container (it’s been in dock since August 7) to be loaded on the truck Monday and started on its way to Bouake. Please pray that this does happen, and that the money figure they give to us isn’t outrageous. We’ve already been told that the required % of estimated value to be paid has again risen from 2% (it was 1%) to 7% just this week!

We also have a very promising offer on our house, and our son David will be working with our realtor to hopefully process this sale within the next couple of weeks. Also pray that this will go through, or that God will provide another buyer.

Retailers use a term called “just-in-time” inventory, meaning that they sell their merchandise as soon as it comes in – just in time to sell. We feel e-mail has given us the privilege of having “just-in-time” prayer support, and we are delighted to keep you posted in this way. Maybe by our next update, we will be able to share that God has answered your prayers, and that our container has arrived here in Bouake.