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WORKSHOPS & BUSINESSES

LOSING MORE CHILDREN & WHY

Last time I told you about more kids leaving, and then Bouba (new, on the right) left us shortly after. Next, it was Yacouba (new) who wanted to leave, but Paul could convince him to stay. Last week it came to light why.

End of June we employed a new day guard, a Christian man named Dramane, who seemed a God-sent. He was doing his job well and seemed to have integrity which is rare in Mali. We were really happy.

Now it's come out that he's an alcoholic who beats up our children when he is drunk. The children did not speak up for the longest time. The night guard from the security company did not tell us either about him returning drunk in the middle of night (which he should have). We finally found out that he's been beating up our kids and insulting our two women who live on the base. We even found out that one of the women knew him from years ago and knew he had issues, but did not tell us.

Last Saturday night, he kept calling Paul all night and insulting him. In the morning, Paul found him all drunk and fired him. Dramane was threatening everyone with killing them and Paul had to call the police to have him removed. He found out that Dramane had actually been in prison for killing someone. We had found him because missionaries had recommended him.

Now our children are safe again, and we'll be asking the security company to send a day guard for now. We are also looking into switching security companies.

Please pray for our base, our children, and especially Paul who is dealing with all of this.

SPONSORS NEEDED

Patrice (10), one of our cook's children, has lost his sponsor and is looking for someone who would help take care of his every need. With our carpenter having set up his workshop on our base, we have now also sent his other two children to school/kindergarten and both Emmanuel (7) and Joseph (4) are looking for a sponsor. A sponsorship is $60 or 50€ per month.

Patrice (10) and Emmanuel (7) and Joseph (4)

And finally, Fanta's fourth child and second daughter was born this morning. I'm hoping to find someone long-term who will support little Esther from birth and watch her grow up.

WHY WE TRAVEL

I was glad to be recently asked why we travel so much because if one person has that question, probably many more among you do but don't ask it. Don't be shy to voice questions or concerns.

The ministry is called Healing 2 The NATIONS, so it is simply part of our calling to minister to the nations. While our ministry base is in Mali, it is as much part of our calling to minister in the Western world as in Mali. A few years ago Cindy Jacobs prophesied over me that I was an apostolic voice to the French-speaking world, which is where my heart is. Wherever God sends us, we will go, and we see Him do miracles, heal, restore, deliver, save, set free and refresh. Only He can do these things!

Secondly, as we travel we get the word out about the ministry in Mali, meet new people, make new connections, and potentially meet people who will make a difference in Mali, whichever way that may be. Because I taught at a missions school in Rumania in March, we now have a Rumanian lady join our team in Mali later this year. Because we were in Germany last November, we found out about the Disciple-Making Movement which is the perfect strategy to plant churches among Muslims.

Thirdly, you cannot imagine the spiritual warfare we deal with when we are in Mali which wears you out over time. It is imperative to get out regularly to take a deep breath, get refreshed, look at things from the distance and receive new vision and strategies as you go back in.

MINISTRY IN AUSTRIA & FRANCE

We have just completed two weeks of ministry in Austria and three weeks in France and are in awe of everything the Lord has done. Last year the Lord spoke to us about the importance of focusing on France because of its historic ties to Mali, a former French colony. This year, we were just blown away as door after door opened and we made many new connections, ministering all over the country of France. And the Lord moved mightily in every single place. Yes, the bridges the Lord showed me last year that He wanted to build between France and Mali are being built. And there is so much more yet to come!

Look at our France pictures here.

QUICK NEWS

•        Security Situation - The Malian government has not set a new date for the referendum to change the constitution that the population is rising up against. Please pray for peace, and for protection from jihadists.

•      School Start - This whole past month Paul kept asking me to send money so he could pay tuition for our 30+ children in school, and every time I had to tell him I had none to send him. Not only are there school fees to pay, but school books and uniforms to purchase.

•        Disciple-Making Movement - Our groups continue to thrive and multiply. Sebela now has a prayer group going where the new believers gather. And the formerly unreached village Falani now has two groups, and the groups are growing. Praise God!

•        Malian Leader Paul - Please continue praying for Paul who has a lot on his shoulders. He has a lot of physical attacks. Also, we realize more and more that him not living on the base any more is a huge problem, as he lives a long way away. Please pray for a solution so he can live close by or move back in (which his wife doesn't want).

•        New Presentation - We have made a new video presentation for this trip. Click here to watch it.

•        Miracle Baby - Please keep praying for our promised child. Only God can create life, and nothing is impossible for Him!

•        First-Grade Teacher - 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!

•        Language Learning - Please pray for Randy who is now learning French. He still needs prayer as it's hard for him.

•        Building #4 - As soon as we have some money, we are ready 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.

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand guard in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

Trusting HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)