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GOD DID IT!

In my last email I told you I'd certainly have a great praise report for you this time, and I do!

We needed to pay $20,000 for our solar panels by the end of September so they could be included in a container leaving the US for Mali. And our God of the impossible provided the whole amount! Praise Him!

Not only that, but two more substantial donations have come in, so that we now have $23,000 out of the $53,000 needed for the first house which is the one we're moving into in two months. Kossi, our contractor, is right now finishing up the wall around the property, and next week he's starting work on our house.

We "only" need $30,000 more to finish our first building and move - that is $19,000 less than last time I wrote! I'm so excited about this move, and the doors it will open, the things it will make possible, and the money we'll save without rent, water, phone and electricity bills.

The big day is December 5th, which is just after our big 3rd Anniversary Celebration on Dec 2nd. It will be our first service on the property, baptizing new believers, ordaining Paul as pastor, and having a banquet for our neighbors and guests.

REVIVAL IN THE VILLAGES

I have felt a great urgency to go teach the hundreds of new believers in the two villages we went to in May. Our pastor goes there once a week, but spends far too little time there, and has a hard time discipling the new believers.

Because of some circumstances, my right-hand-man Paul (the Albino in the picture) had to go to both villages without me. But I'm so proud of my son, who is doing an awesome job reflecting Jesus and being His instrument to bring His Kingdom down to earth. He preached and taught, prayed for the sick, cast out spirits, answered question after question, and our teenagers were right there with him participating.

A few stories: There was a lady who'd been bedridden for a week already, and everyone was expecting her to die any time. They prayed for her and she got off her mat! She's perfectly alright now, and a walking reminder to everyone of who God is. God then also healed her grandson.

Another lady was haunted every night and hadn't been able to sleep because of it in a long time. Paul asked if she had any magic objects, and she did. She brought this "gris-gris", and they burned it. However, even though they put gasoline on it, it wouldn't burn. Instead it was moving in the fire. Paul then prayed and broke its power, and suddenly it burned up, leaving a horrible smell behind.

In one village as they were setting up the equipment and getting ready to praise God, the local imam (Muslim leader) showed up angry saying they couldn't do that during the holy Muslim month of fasting called Ramadan. Hundreds of people had already gathered eager to hear the gospel. They were disappointed. God gave wisdom to Paul how to answer, and the imam left convicted, sending a big meal later to apologize for his behavior.

The other village where the village chief and hundreds of people gave their lives to the Lord in May, has been spared the destruction of several thunderstorms that have destroyed the harvest surrounding their village. None of their fields were touched. And they were the only village receiving sufficient rain. It was raining in their village, but not in the other villages around. The other villages have taken notice, and also want to follow Jesus. We're being called to come by so many people...

However, as sad as it is, the workers are few. We simply don't have the capacity to respond to this revival and bring in the harvest. Neither people-wise, nor financially. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to the harvest field in Mali! (see Luke 10:2)

SCHOOL STARTS

The school year has started - two weeks later because of the floods in many regions in Mali that have left thousands of people homeless and in despair. My heart breaks for them, and I'm longing for the day when we can go and make a difference. It will come.

In Bamako, we have 4 children at a Christian private school - two in kindergarten, one in 1st grade, and one in 7th grade.
In the village of Dio, we're paying tuition for 21 children from poor families so they can go to school.

That leaves our 4 teenagers that we've been teaching at our house. Last year's teacher Issa left us in July because of more urgent business he had, and the teacher I had lined up to take his place, suddenly couldn't any more. So right now I'm looking for a new teacher for them, and have emailed out the need to all churches and missions in Mali. In the meantime, I am the one teaching them again, as I did the first few months when we started.

Please pray for strength and grace for me as I take on this tiring and time-consuming responsability again, and pray for God to send us the right teacher soon.

QUICK NEWS

•        Bible School - We've started our 4th trimester with 4 students, 2 from our church, and 2 from other churches. We do two nights a week, which is very time-consuming for me. Pray for the students, and for myself as I facilitate the school

•       Feeding 35 Women & Children - We should already have started feeding those 4 poor families that barely make it, but we need to sort out a few more problems, like the shortage of funds. If you would like to sponsor one of those families, please check out the corresponding page on my website and let me know.

•       Sponsorships - Denise - Paul's 10-year-old half-sister - lost her sponsor. She now goes to school, and receives food and medical attention. Who would like to sponsor her for $50 or 40€ a month? Please email me.

•      Monthly Support - We're still very much in need of monthly supporters to be able to do all we do, pay all our bills, and take care of emergencies whether it be medical or repairs. Right now our funds are depleted.

•      Team from Austria - We have a team of 6 Austrians coming Nov 23 until Dec 3. We're excited to have those 10 days of intense ministry with them. Please pray for wisdom as we make the schedule, for God to prepare them, and everything to work out perfectly for His glory.

•      England - I've felt for a while I needed to go on this short trip to England Oct 19-29 to attend two conferences, one in London (Chiswick) and the other in Dudley (Birmingham). It sure feels crazy to me (I used my free frequent flyer ticket), but I have a great anticipation that God is up to something there. Someone prophesied over me in August that October was gonna be a significant month, and I wonder if it has to do with this trip. Please pray for me, and if you'd like to call me, I'll have my Austrian cellphone with me with the number (+43) 676 426 7617.

And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. (1.Cor 1:8-9, MES)

Loved by my Beloved,

Claudia

Our Resident Family of 12
(March 2007)