As Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) is just around the corner, I am reminded of a family tradition – one that many of you probably share. As our extended family gathers to pray, or after we\’ve eaten our fill, we \’challenge\’ each other to share something for which we are thankful. Everyone starts with the expected, and then by the 2nd or 3rd round, we\’re naming things that have recently impacted us. As I write this update, I\’m especially thankful for those \’expecteds\’ (mom, dad, church family and friends, etc.), but here are some things that occur to me in Round 2:
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You may not welcome the cold weather, but we thank the Lord when it arrives. Now, instead of afternoons with temperatures around 105 and high humidity, we are enjoying much cooler temps around 90 and lower humidity.
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This month, we\’re also thankful for a hot water heater that is now installed and working – just in time for the cooler weather.
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We\’re thankful for the new elementary building. Grades K-6 started their 2nd Quarter in their new \’home\’ and are enjoying the new and bigger rooms.
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We\’re thankful for a good rainy season which will mean good crops for the people of Niger.
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We\’re thankful for the 8 African church leaders who are taking Bible courses this week and next here in Niamey. These courses are part of the Tri-M ministry of our mission (Evangelical Baptist Missions). You can find out more about this ministry by visiting www.ebm.org.
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We\’ve been receiving some of your church newsletters. Thanks for sending them our way, either by snailmail or by e-mail. We love to read about what God is doing in your neighborhood and pray for you as you pray for us.
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Thanks to all of you who e-mailed us this past month. We\’re so thankful to hear from you – especially because it lets us know you get our e-mails!
Here\’s how you can pray this month:
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Your prayers were and are greatly appreciated, especially for our moms who have each recently lost a sister. Pray for lost family members who have once again heard the gospel message at a time when they\’ve been brought face to face with eternity.
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On Sunday evening after church, Bob has been spending time with the Taureg boy who works for us on the weekends. While Bob doesn\’t speak tomasheq and Boubacar doesn\’t speak English, they are able to communicate in french. They have watched the film \”At the End of the Spear\” together; recently Bob has been telling him Bible stories, starting with the parts of Genesis on which Muslims and Christians agree. Pray for Bob that he will be able to communicate clearly without offending, and that Boubacar will see and understand God\’s true plan for salvation.
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Remember the 69 new believers who were baptized in Baniera last month, that they will grow in the Lord and continue to reach out to their community.
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Pray for Anna, the daughter of one of our co-workers who is fighting a severe case of malaria and other complications. She has been in a clinic for a week receiving vitamins, fluids and meds through an IV. Last night, she was able to go home and sleep in her own bed. Please pray that she continues to improve and has no relapses.
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We ask that you also pray that our container which has been sitting in Cotonou (the port city in Benin) for 2 weeks would be released to start its journey north to Niamey, Niger. We\’re not experiencing a longer than usual wait, but 12 different families and the kids at Sahel Academy are anxiously awaiting its arrival.