Merry Christmas 2007

Even in our far-away corner of the earth, we experience some of the busyness of Christmas season with its attendant round of gift-giving, parties and Christmas programs. Sahel Academy celebrated this season with an elementary school musical visit from Hark, the Herald Angel, while each of the classes at Mission Ecole Goudel (EBM’s French school for national children) once again ‘recited’ the reason for the season. We’re thankful for each one of these presentations. Many people listen to the messages proclaimed by children who would not otherwise hear this good news.

Boubacar (our weekend guard for whom many of you have been praying) has gone to church with me a few times in the past month.  (He used to be quite resistant to going for fear that someone he knows might see him.)  He likes the music and he listens to the preaching of the word. The message this past week was about how God gave His Son to be the sacrifice for the sin of the world.  As Boubacar and I were walking out, there was a small herd of rams being led down the road.  He told me that the rams for Tabaski this year are very expensive. His father will have to spend over a month’s salary in order to buy one.

You may know that Tabaski commemorates God’s providing Abraham with a ram to be sacrificed instead of Ishmael. Those celebrating Tabaski this week believe that Ishmael was the son of promise, and millions of rams will be sacrificed on that day in commemoration. At this Christmas time of year many people emphasize decorations and presents, in essence nullifying the meaning of the day; here in Niamey we have rams all over the city in another attempt to nullify the importance of the true sacrifice. Christmas and Tabaski stand in stark contrast between two major belief systems in the world.  The Jewish line branches off from Abraham with Isaac while the Arab line are the descendants of Ishmael. Ultimate truth either rests in a descendant of Ishmael or a descendant of Isaac.  The very existence of the Jews today and Christianity itself stands as a testimony against a worldview of millions of people around the world.  Once again, I explained to Boubacar that the true ram is Jesus who was sacrificed for us and lives today to bring us to the Father and give us eternal life. Please continue to pray for him as he wrestles with this truth.

At Sahel Academy, we’re still very much in need of a math teacher starting in January. Another one of our staff members has a very ill father and may need to go home unexpectedly. We know that God knows what the solution to these teacher situations will be, but we are ‘anxious’ for Him to share it with us soon. If you could be part of His solution, please contact us at info@sahelacademy.com and let us know of your interest. For more information, you can visit the school website at www.sahelacademy.com.

Thank you so much for being part of our support family this past year.
From hot Niamey, we send you our warmest Christmas greetings
And wish you joy in the New Year.