Donations:

QUICK NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• We still haven't been able to cover the expenses from October of $3000 for tuition, school uniforms and supplies for our 26 children in school.

• Donations have been very sparse as every time this year, and the ministry is several thousand dollars in debt, and worse off than it's been in a while. The first half year of 2010 was our best financially yet.

• We have no money for expenses for our conference with Cliff Pash next week, and no money for the banquet etc for our big 6th anniversary celebration on Sunday, November 28th.

• We have unpaid invoices for repair work. Christmas is coming up when we usually go swimming ($7 per person) and have a nice meal and do a party for street children giving them food and shoes. None of that is possible at this time.

• We spend hundreds of dollars every month for vehicle repairs and gas. With our debts increasing, the day is on the horizon when we won't be able to fill our vehicles up or buy another bag of rice.

• Jérémie (14) ran away last night. We expect him back after the Muslim holiday. We're praying for wisdom to discipline him accordingly.

• Saloum (20) and Joseph (17) who go to evening school had an accident on the way home last night. It was their fault. We have to pay for the other person's damaged motorbike as well as repair our own.

• We have problems with our night guard who is not doing his job properly, and repeated conversations are not making a difference. His kids are very integrated into our family. I need wisdom what to do next.

• We have serious problems with our driver and need to fire him. Do we look for another one, finding yet another one without integrity, or let our 20-year-old be the driver who is inexperienced? Wisdom needed.

• I also have concerns about our construction manager's integrity, but there is nothing I can do about it.

• There are lots of relatively little problems I could add to this list but will spare you.

• We had an electrician who wanted to come help us do the wiring in the new house. He's not coming. So we're once again looking for someone to do the wiring, plumbing, and who can install the American kitchen.

• Construction has been at a standstill for months with no money coming in to continue the work.

• My heart being broken over seeing my friend Dawn abandoned by everyone because of her sickness, and with no hope of recovery, we committed to sending her to the only place where she could get help. She spent 2 weeks there and has seen dramatic progress, doing better than she has been in years. Thankfully a donation helped with a big part of the expenses, but we still need at least $3000 to cover the rest.

• Paul feels emotionally spent with all the problems with team members and teenagers, and I think we all feel that way. We are going through a deep valley. Our hope is that the arrival of the American family in April will make a difference spiritually and emotionally, and the release of my book financially as 100% of the proceeds will go to the ministry.

• On the upside, Hama (9) is making great progress learning to walk. He can now walk up to 10 meters without any help. I've uploaded a video clip to YouTube that you can watch in this embedded video or here.

We need financial support as well as prayer support in this difficult season so we can go on. Surely we don't have to go through this alone, do we? Anyone willing to help one way or the other?

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me. (Ps 23:4)

Hanging on to HIM,

Claudia