Donations:

We are believing and contending for the money needed to purchase a new pickup truck, for our deficit to be erased and to be able to complete the third building we've built.

We declare the time of lack is OVER!

CHRISTMAS IN BAMAKO

I love advent, as we look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ, and always do my best to make it a special season for our children. We put up an advent calendar, and every morning our children find goodies in there, whether candy or other things. We also bake Christmas cookies in several groups of kids that we then eat later on Christmas Eve. Last night we played games together which was much fun.

On Christmas we're taking our children swimming, and then we all go to a restaurant for a special chicken dinner. From there we return home where we are going to celebrate Jesus's birth and exchange presents. Every one of our 40 sponsored children will receive a bag full of goodies, including those who are still looking for a sponsor.

On Saturday we will have our Christmas service, and on Sunday we will put on a party for all the street children with games, movies, the gospel and giving them each a pair of shoes, meal and drink.

We'd appreciate any size gift to help us with the expenses involved. It is our prayer that we can end this year with no deficit, and that's a little thing for God! He is so good!

SECURITY SITUATION

Last week different Malian jihadist groups gathered which was followed by the government receiving a series of credible threats. For that reason they have declared a 10-day state of emergency. A few days ago the French raided a terrorist camp killing terrorists and seizing big quantities of explosives and weapons.

Connect with me on Facebook to receive regular updates on what's going on in Mali.

Please continue to pray for us.

EUROPE & US TRIP

We're still in the process of planning our US and Europe trip January to March. We feel very strongly that we need to focus more on the French-speaking world, given that Mali is French-speaking and God speaking about my calling there. For that reason we are going to Quebec in February, and are planning to go to France/Switzerland in September. We're looking for contacts - especially in Quebec at this point - and would appreciate it if you could put us in touch.

We're also looking for someone we could stay with in Las Vegas January 30 to February 4th.

We're planning on going to Mississippi, Denver, Kansas City, Wichita, Las Vegas, Augusta, Harrisburg and Quebec. We hope to see many of you, and would love to make new connections.

We'll be in Vienna January 4th to 13th, and in Europe March 4th to 21st. We'll be home in Mali in time for Easter.

QUICK NEWS

•        Bible School - Our 8 older boys have now done two intensive weekends and have one more weekend coming up to finish the first trimester. A few of them are in danger of failing and not going on to the next trimester.

•        Health - Thank God I'm nearly completely restored after having been sick for 3 weeks. Thanks so much for praying. Randy is also doing fine, except for his toe still giving him trouble when he's up and about too much.

•        Renovation - We haven't had the money to paint the outside of the buildings, but we've decided to tackle a few small rooms in our house that have never been painted before. After 4 years of living in this unfinished house, it's a dream come true to see my prayer room finished and with the world map on the wall.

•        Monthly Donors - Please pray for new monthly donors, and for those who committed to support us last summer to follow through with their commitment.

•        Child Sponsorship - Seven of our children are currently praying to find a (new) sponsor to support them with $60 or 40€ per month. Please go to our CHILDREN's page to see which ones and let me know whose sponsor you'd like to become.

•       Volunteers - We always need volunteers in Mali who can stay a few months or more. If you'd like to come help us, please contact me.

If you say, "The Lord is my refuge," and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. (Psalm 91:9-10)

Have a blessed Christmas,

Randy & Claudia