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WORKSHOPS & BUSINESSES

JOINING A FRENCH-SPEAKING FAMILY

This past trip to the Western world was very significant, setting things in order and in place for the future direction of this ministry. One of those significant moments was our week in Romania I told you about last time. There is now a young lady in Romania preparing to come to Mali, which is a huge answer to prayer. Another significant part of this trip was our time in Quebec, which I had felt a long time in advance, and that sense was right.

For a good number of years I have felt the need for us to connect more with the French-speaking world, but the doors were for the most part closed. Then we had the military coup in Mali five years ago, and four years ago the French saved us from the rebels taking the capital, a French soldier giving his life on the first day, which gave me a new love for France. Around the same time Cindy Jacobs prophesied over me that I would be an apostolic voice to the French-speaking world.

Last year doors started opening up in France, and we met and immediately connected with Alain Caron, founder and leader of a network in the French-speaking world, based in Quebec, Canada. Alain joined the board of our ministry, and a month ago we were headed his way for his yearly network conference. There was a strong sense of divine purpose and eternal significance in the atmosphere - even though we had been battling a virus/the flu for weeks and weren't feeling great - that God was up to something, and He totally exceeded our expectations.

We joined the HODOS network, and it immediately seemed that our piece of the puzzle had finally found the right puzzle to fit into. The theme of the conference was alignment, which was so fitting, as we aligned ourselves with them. And as we did, blessings and favor started flowing. We were blown away at the extent, as doors suddenly started opening, and favor came as never before. We made great connections and met wonderful people from all over the French-speaking world, and this was just the beginning!

We are excited that Alain's right-hand guy Jean-Pierre Leroux, will be the speaker at our 13-year Anniversary Conference this December. Even more so as Jean-Pierre has had a heart for Mali all his life but has never been, so we are expecting great things.

Also, we are currently planning our time in France this September and are praying for more people and churches to connect to.

Look at all our Quebec pictures here. I have been many places in my life, but northern Quebec was the most beautiful place I've seen in a long time, if not ever.

GOVERNMENT DEALINGS

Last time I told you about two delicate situations we found ourselves in. One had to do with the 7 rebellious teenagers who left in January, some of whom went to the authorities and told them lies about us, finding neighbors and a member of parliament to help them and fight for them. I'm happy to tell you that Paul has met with the member of parliament and that the boys have withdrawn their accusations.

The other dicey situation was the government demanding the papers for our children's center which we have been working on for a long time. However, while there is religious freedom, that does not mean you don't get obstacles thrown your way when you're Christian. At a surprise inspection in March they gave us a deadline of April 20th to present the papers. Thanks to Paul's connections and interventions, that deadline was extended until June 20th. Still, it had taken us 8 years of going in circles before we had received the church papers, and when they burned in the fire last year, they wanted us to start over again. Thankful, we received those papers a few weeks ago, after one year (after paying again). Paul then found a person who said he could take charge in getting us the children's center's papers. He wasn't cheap, but I'm happy to tell you that three weeks before the deadline we received the papers! PRAISE GOD! Now there is one more issue we are working on, and then everything will be in order! God is so good!

SUMMER BREAK

The children in Mali have a four-month break in summer (rainy season) which is way too long. Unfortunately we don't have anyone visiting nor anyone to supervise the children right now. Our only remaining teenager Amadou and our leader-in-training Joseph are planning on going on an outreach with Youth With A Mission in Togo, if the money is there for it. Our own elementary school is back in session, so my remaining two students Arouna and Sarata will be busy studying all summer.

It is also the time of year when we take in new children off the street. Please pray we take in the right ones.

QUICK NEWS

•        Western World - Sometimes people don't understand that we are not only called to Mali, but also to minister to the Western world, which is one reason we travel. On our last weekend before returning to Mali, we found out that a lady we prayed for last year was healed of cancer. Also, we prayed for a lady with a slipped disk that night and I felt the disk move under my hand. She said she felt heat and it was much better.

•        Show On TV - The Lord spontaneously opened the opportunity for me to be on Hispanic Christian TV in California. You can watch the bilingual show on our YouTube channel here.

•        Our Health - As soon as our feet hit the ground in Mali, the spiritual battle became very tangible again, especially now that it is Ramadan and the whole country is unleashing the powers of darkness through fasting and prayer. On our first day in Mali we had a car accident, and minutes later Paul had a motorcycle accident as he was heading our way. Also, Randy's toe suddenly started hurting really bad again (two years ago he was unable to walk for two weeks, for no reason). As for Paul, he is sick with exhaustion and needs prayer and rest. We'd like to send him on a one-week vacation somewhere, if finances allow it. We all need your prayers!

•        Our School - Bakary is now on vacation with the others, as he could not keep up with 5th grade. He is supposed to be our carpenter's apprentice when he sets up his shop on our base. As for the remaining two students, I was not happy with the results of their exams. They had obviously not put the work in they should have while we were gone. As the Lord has promised us a child still this year, we have decided to put Arouna and Sarata back into the school system. On one hand I'm sad as teaching school is my greatest passion, on the other hand it will free me up to focus on other things - and be a first-time Mom.

•        First-Grade Teacher - We thought the Lord had provided a first-grade teacher while we were in Quebec, but it fell through. So we are still looking for a French-speaking first grade teacher to join our team. There is such a need for a good, Christian school where the children are treated with dignity and learn something. Many of our Muslim neighbors would send their children to our school. Please pray with us for this great need!

•        Bible-Discovery Groups - During our absence Paul continued the DMM (Disciple-Making Movement) groups that Randy started, and they've been going well. We now have several second generation groups. Please pray for them and for their multiplication.

•        From Unreached To Reached - Paul has had the village of Falani on his heart for a while. So far Christians have only failed when they tried to start a church there. Paul has been building relationships with people there, and now they are at the point of being ready to start a DMM group. Praise God!

•        Language Learning - For a while we have now felt that Randy needs to be learning French, as God is connecting us to all these French-speaking nations. Thankfully, there is more material available for self-study, and so Randy has started learning French. He still needs prayer as it's hard for him.

•        Building #4 - As soon as we have some money, we are read to start building the foundation for our next building that will service as dorms and classrooms for our elementary school in the beginning, and will be our business and workshop section later. Cost: $90,000 or 84.000€.

•        Partners - We're looking for monthly financial partners as we only have 49% of our budget covered by regular monthly donations.

•       Volunteers - Do you want to come change an orphan's life? Do you want to heal the sick? Preach the gospel to those who've never heard? Come to Mali for a season and let God change your life. No language skills needed, but French skills are helpful.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov 3:5-6)

Trusting HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)