In this newsletter:
NEW
CHILD RESCUED
DONATIONS MUCH NEEDED
QUICK NEWS
NEW
CHILD RESCUED
Over
the past 3 years that Tidiane has been sleeping
on our base nearly every night, we've seen his life transformed
by his faith in Jesus. He was baptized, and now his time has finally
come to become a permanent member of our family. This is his story.
We've
set his birthday to June 28 (the day he moved in) of 1997 (estimated).
He was born in Fana, where he was growing up a regular boy, starting
school at the age of 7 which is the customary age in most of Mali.
He was the firstborn of his father's second wife (he divorced his
first wife). After about a year and a half in school, he leaves
school because his teacher is so mean. His family is not happy about
that, and sends 9-year-old Tidiane to a family in Bamako to work
as a shepherd. He works there for less than a year before he leaves
because his boss's son is so mean. He goes to the bus station where
meany street children live and joins them, and survives by gathering
metal to sell. One time his family finds him and takes him back
home, where he needs to work hard. After one month, he gets beaten
severely for spending 20 cents on food, and so he leaves again -
for good. He lives on the street for a year before he comes to our
base for the first time (in May 2009). At that time we'd go out
at night and invite them to our base to sleep in a safe place. Since
then he's been spending his days begging for money on the street
before coming to eat and sleep on our base at night. He's very much
looking forward to starting school in fall.
If
you'd like to become Tidiane's sponsor by sending $40 or
60€ per month and being in touch with him by email
and skype, please let me know.
DONATIONS
MUCH NEEDED
Purchasing
that urgently needed truck a few weeks ago was
a bigger expense than our budget allowed, moving us into the red
quite a bit. So we're asking and praying
for donations to make up for the additional $6000
that were spent there. Any and all amounts given are welcome and
received with gratitude!
We're
also thankful for our two new triple-bunkbeds ($250 each)
so that we have room for more children again. The kids love the
top level!
QUICK
NEWS
- Summer
Schedule - I've started teaching the kids on a daily
basis so they can improve their French; I include
them all using fun material meant for kids. We're all having lots
of fun (except for when the power is out).
- Power
Outages - Rainy season is in full swing, and unfortunately
that means lots of power outages as the overcast sky prevents
our solar panels from working at maximum efficiency. The other
day we were without power for 24 hours. It seems ironic that we
have actually finally connected to city electricity,
but it seems that our system does not accept the quality of electricity
coming in. We will have to wait until August when the missionary
friend who installed our system can come to have a look at it
all. Until then, we'll have to keep going without power for hours
on end... as long as I don't have to throw away the contents of
my freezer again, it's just a matter of adapting.
- Political
Situation - There's nothing much new to report since
last time. Things are moving forward slowly towards a military
intervention in Mali, with more and more green lights
appearing. A green light from the UN is expected soon.
- Dealing
with Government - The military coup and constant changes
in government have caused us a fair bit of trouble as well. We've
had to submit the same papers several times (and
pay again), and still haven't received the much-needed papers
that used to be a formality in the past. In addition, we were
told that because of the al-Qaida linked groups in Mali, the government
has decided to reduce the number of registered
organizations in Mali. Please pray for favor so that we get all
the papers we need.
- Book
Translations - My book is being translated into German
and French right now. The German translation will be
released before Christmas; as for the French we have to pay $2,000
for the translation, and then have a publisher accept
it. Any help with that expense would be very welcome.
- Back
to School - In August I'll be going back to school for
6 weeks to get further education and
certification to fullfill all of what God has called
H2TNI to be and do. Originally we were going to have a volunteer
in Mali at that time; now Paul will need extra prayer again during
that time while he leads the ministry in Mali without me.
- Volunteers
- We don't have any volunteers in Mali right now, even
though we really need a few; if you'd like to come help us, contact
me.
Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ... Do not be
anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
(Phil 4:4, 6)
Trusting
HIM,
Claudia |
June 2012
Standing from left: Claudia, Paul, Rokia, Saloum, Tierno, Adama,
Moïse, Joseph, Fanta
Sitting from left: Florentin, Karim, Jérémie, Amadou,
Youssouf, Hama, Boubacar, Bakary, Sarata, Jonathan
orange
- current monthly support, red - support needed
|