The Sahel Academy Class of 2008 – Truly Unique!

For the first time, Sahel’s graduation ceremony was held on the “green”, a beautiful patch of grass in the center of the campus which stands out from all the sand around it as a cool green oasis.  Especially unique this year: instead of ceremoniously marching down the aisle, the graduates arrived from across the campus on camels. This year’s graduating class consisted of three boys, all of whom have grown up in Africa since they were infants. Each one in some way commented that he was not at all saddened at what he had missed by not growing up in North America, but felt that he has been blessed by all that he has gained by growing up in Africa. Pray for these three graduates who are now saying good-bye to their home of the last 18 years.

Most missionaries have a certain people group to whom they minister here in Africa.  For Lois and I, the missionary kids are our people group. This is what we do. It is our great joy to see these boys graduate and go out to impact their world for Christ. They may someday return; MKs often return as missionaries themselves.

Although this school year has ended for us, the busyness will continue throughout the break time. We are moving on campus this week, a move that we trust will greatly simplify our lives. Also, the new media center is almost completed, and Lois hopes to be moving the computer lab to the new location during this break. This involves overseeing the building and fabricating of new computer workstations and a server and network rack. Please pray that all goes smoothly so that we can be in the new facilities for the beginning of the school year.

The electricity supplied to our campus is undependable. This week alone we have been without power for as much as 5 hours at a time; sometimes the return of power causes damaging spikes to electronics even though they are protected. A transformer which should help this situation has been sitting in customs for several months. Sahel has been unable to obtain the signatures for its release. There are also several vehicles belonging to co-workers sitting in customs waiting for the proper signatures of customs agents. Please pray for these matters to be settled soon.

Sahel is once again praying for a high school math teacher, as well as a lower elementary teacher and a high school science teacher. Pray that God will direct these people our way. Lois and I know of so many or our friends who are qualified; if you are one of them, we’d be thrilled for God to direct you to join us in this MK ministry. For more information, please visit www.sahelacademy.com/staff.

Boubacar is still up north in Timbuktu. We haven’t heard when he is returning. Supposedly he has family up there who are Christians. Please continue to pray that this visit will result in his salvation. As we move to campus, we will lose regular contact with Boubacar, even if he does return to Niamey. Please pray for the seed that has been planted, and for those who will continue to minister in his life.