Long Overdue

Yes, we are long overdue with a newsletter. Can we just say that we are grateful that we won't have to work on computers in Heaven? We have had major problems with ours which contained all of your addresses! We have finally managed to retrieve most of them. So, here goes.

We have been busy with quite a few things lately. Chad has a greater workload in the office now because his supervisor is out of the office for language study. Chad has been charged with compiling the West Africa region's budget request for 2008, and that has added a lot of work on top of his regular responsibilities. Also, he is taking a seminary class by extension, so he has lots of reading and other assignments.

Crystal is still studying Wolof, but did receive her required level of proficiency at the last evaluation. Praise the Lord!! She is also teaching English and Bible stories to several girls and ladies each week.

Our boys are ages 3 and 16 months now, so they are ALWAYS busy. Chase is learning to speak more French and Wolof, and he is playing better with the children in the neighborhood. Another huge praise to our Lord! Caleb is not talking yet. We think he is just trying to decide which language to speak.He is lots of fun, though, and he loves everyone. They love him, too.

We had asked some of you to pray for Edward as we explained how he must choose whether he wants to follow the ways of the major religion here, or to follow Christ. He has really been sitting on the fence. He had a crisis in his life that allowed us to share very directly with him. He is now doing better as he is working, and he is still reading the Bible. Please continue to pray for him because it often takes people awhile to make such an important decision.
Edward's wife, Anna, is one of the ladies who is studying with Crystal. She is truly a joy to know. She is very open to hearing God's Word, and eager to discuss the various topics. Please pray that she will be saved.

Also, thank you for praying for Mary. She has come back in full force. She is studying with Crystal 3 days a week. She even brings her younger sister, Victoria. We have now met a lot of her family, and are planning to eat lunch with them this Saturday. Please continue to pray that they will be saved as well.

Finally, we have another lady named Mariama who has said she wants to study with us, but she has only been able to attend one class. Please pray that she will be able to continue, and that she will be saved.

Please pray for our group of students who meet in front of the house. We have had many, many interruptions, and most girls have stopped coming.

Please pray that they will return. One praise in this area, though, is that Crystal was able to visit their school with some volunteers. She met the Saturday English teacher, and he invited her to come speak to his class anytime! Pray that we will be able to share with many more students and teachers there.

Once again, we thank each of you for praying for us and for the work here. We know God is working, but sometimes it seems like we are climbing a mountain with very heavy backpacks. Your prayers help to lighten our load. We couldn't continue without you. We pray that you realize the joy of the Lord in your life and work today. As always, be sure to let us know how we can be praying for you.

Father Abraham...

When we last wrote, we were concerned about how the story of Abraham’s faith being tested would be received by the students. Well, we just have to say, “Praise the Lord!” and thank you for praying. It took several weeks to actually get to tell the story because Senegal had their presidential elections and school was out more than it was in. However, finally, the day came when Crystal got to share the story. The students listened, answered the questions, and had no problem with it at all! In fact, we learned a song about Abraham in Wolof and we taught them “Father Abraham” in English. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. All afternoon, we could hear children singing the songs in the park. Please continue to pray that the Truth will penetrate their hearts and minds so that one day they will understand and desire to follow Jesus.

Thank you, too for praying about the elections. Everything went smoothly and mostly peacefully. There were a few demonstrations, but the country didn’t have any real instability.

You also have been praying for Mary. She took a few weeks off from studying because of the elections. We were worried that she might be politely saying she wasn’t coming back. Yet, she also came again this last week, and we had a wonderful discussion about original sin. In addition, she told me about a movie that is being shown here on TV. It is attempting to scare people into becoming stronger, more religious Muslims. At first we were worried, but now we think this could work to help us. Please pray that people will want to think more about their relationship with God and eternity, and that they will hear the Truth.

Chad continues to visit with some guys in the market near his office. Please pray that he will be able to have deeper spiritual conversations with them.

We also have another young woman, named Anna, who wants to learn English and to study the Bible stories. Please pray that we can work out our schedules to include time with her.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We are so grateful for your prayers, and the role you play in the Lord’s work here.

Standing in the Need of Prayer

We know it has been a long time since our last newsletter. It seems like our home, our children, and our work keep us very busy. Can I get an “Amen!” from anyone?

We do hope you are well. We thank you for praying for us. We have had some great lessons with our students. The other day, Crystal told the story of Noah, the ark, and God’s promise-the rainbow. Her friend and helper, Mariama said, “Be sure you help the students understand this story.” She said it was important because here many people think that a rainbow appears when God is angry with people, and everyone must hurry to the mosque to pray! This is just one example of how the truth has been twisted by their religious teachers.

This deception is one reason that we are so compelled to write and ask for prayer. Next week Crystal will be sharing the story of Abraham’s faithfulness to God in being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac; and God’s provision of a ram to take his place. Here, many people believe that it was Ishmael who was almost sacrificed and that God’s promised one would come through his line – not Isaac’s. This is another perversion of the truth. We are praying that this will not keep any of our students from continuing to come to our class.

In addition, Crystal is teaching English to another lady named Mary who is very interested in the stories. She even thought Crystal must be Muslim because she has NEVER KNOWN a white person to know God’s Word so well! Boy is she in for some wonderful surprises in the Scriptures. We are praying that the deception which she has lived under her whole life is lifted and that she comes to know the Savior.

Chad has been spending time in a market near where he works each day. He has had many interesting conversations. We are praying that he will find people who are seeking the truth about God and desiring a relationship with Him.

We thank you so much for your prayers for us and for the people here. Please pray that the barriers that have kept them from hearing about Jesus will be removed and the way will be cleared for many to know Him. Also, pray for Senegal as they will have their presidential elections the end of February. Politics are very difficult in West Africa. Please pray that there will be peace and that an honest leader will be elected.

Please keep us updated on your lives as well. We love hearing what is going on where you are, too.