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WORKSHOPS & BUSINESSES

NEW YEAR'S EVE

The children came over to our house and we played board games and video games for a few hours, having fun. It's the only time of year they get to stay up until after midnight! We also had the big task of finishing all the Christmas cookies!

At 9:30 pm we started looking at all the pictures and watching all video clips of this past year. Again we were reminded of the children that were still with us a year ago but not here right now. Still, we enjoyed looking at the pictures, the kids especially seeing their own pictures, as they had never seen them before.

Then we talked about the last year, about our favorite moments, and we spent some time thanking God for all He has done this past year. I handed out the little papers they had written a year ago, with all their hopes, dreams and aspirations for the coming year. Some shared what had come true, other things had not come true.

Then we started talking about this coming year, what we'd like to see, what we're hoping for, what our goals are. The first thing out of their mouth was for Randy and I to have a baby. May it be so! I then handed out papers for them to write their personal goals and aspirations down, to be handed out a year from now. We spent some more time in prayer for this coming year, and then it was already time to count down until midnight.

We all cheered as the clock struck midnight, and then took communion together as the first act of the new year. We all hugged and wished each other a Happy New Year, before everyone headed to bed or home.

This past year was tough, losing so many precious boys, but we're looking forward to this year, most of all to the arrival of our new long-term team member Magda. We're also praying to get the next building built and to find a 1st-grade teacher so our elementary school can start this fall. God is good, and nothing is impossible with Him!

Look at all our December pictures here.

FINANCIAL REPORT

At the beginning of each year I like looking at our finances (I enjoy numbers!) and compare them with the previous year. We want to be transparent and give you an idea where our biggest expenses are and how much things cost. As we had the fire in 2016 which distorted the numbers for that year, I'll be comparing 2017 numbers with those of 2015. So here we go:

      General donations & sales - up 19%
      Expenses - up 26.7%

While we started 2017 with a surplus of 2.300€ or $2,400, we ended the past year with a deficit of 700€ or $800 (though some checks might still be in the mail).

Our monthly average amount we spent was 11.740€, i.e. $14,120.

Our faithful monthly donors currently give a total of about 5.000€, i.e. $6,000.That means we are 57.4% of our expenses short every month, which is slightly less than 2015. In the best case scenario, that difference comes in through one-time donations. In the worst case scenario, the ministry goes into debt. It is our travels that help bring in those one-time donations.

People ask me where most of our donations come from - 61.5% of last year's donations came from the USA, while 36.9% came from Europe.

And now some numbers of expenses so you have an idea of where our greatest needs are; these are averages per month for 2017.

Food - 1.303€, i.e. $1,563 (excluding Claudia & Randy's food)

Schooling - 1.384€, i.e. $1,660 (tuition & supplies)

Electricity & house repairs - 440€, i.e. $530

Gas - 300€, i.e. $360

I hope these numbers are beneficial to you. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.

QUICK NEWS

•        New Team Members - We are looking forward to the arrival of our two new Romanian team members Friday night. Crisstina is coming to do a 2-month internship as part of her missions school training, while Magda is coming to stay long-term. Please pray for their and our preparation and for the transitional period.

•        Disciple-Making Movement - From January 24-26 we have a 3-day training for all our DMM groups on our base. The Australian pastor who taught us is coming for those days with another pastor friend, and we're very much looking forward to those days. We are bringing in all our leaders, housing and feeding them, so we'd be thankful for any financial support if God lays it on your heart.

•        Intercessors Needed - Would you consider standing in the gap for us? As for Randy, both his arm and foot are so much better, but he has been working physically for the first time yesterday and today and feels it. Please pray for his health. Pray also for our protection.

•        Our carpenter - Caleb had a motorcycle accident the day of our celebration 6 weeks ago and has been unable to walk and work. On Monday he is coming back to work, and as he filled in when we did not have a guard, he's really only starting on our base now. Please pray for customers and success for his carpentry shop. Our 14-year-old Bakary is his apprentice, but I also spend time teaching Bakary writing, reading and math every day.

•        Building #4 - We're getting ready to start construction on our next much-need building which will serve as dorms and classrooms for our elementary school in the beginning, and will be our business and workshop section later. We're believing for it to be finished by fall so that our elementary school can start in it then. Total cost: $99,000 or 84.000€.

•        First-Grade Teacher - We are still looking for a French-speaking first grade teacher to join our team in September. 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 we'll find a teacher by fall!

•      Sponsor Needed - We're looking for a sponsor for Patrice (10), our cook's son. If you'd like to enable Patrice to go to school and be taken care off, a sponsorship is $60 or 50€ per month. Half-sponsorships are also possible.

•        Security Situation - The presidential elections are planned for July. Mali is becoming more and more radicalized by jihadists. Please pray for peace, and for protection from jihadists.

•        Malian Leader Paul - Please continue praying for Paul who really needs to move back onto our base but his wife is reluctant. He's looking for housing that is closer than where they live now. Pray also for his wife to fall in love with Jesus and support him in ministry.

•        Miracle Baby - Please keep praying for our promised child. We will have an intervention at a fertility clinic in March. Please pray for success.

•        Language Learning - Randy has been learning French for the past few months but will join our new team member Magda in my Bambara class.

•        My book in French - My book has already been out in English and German for years, and now it's only a matter of a few more days and the French translation will be out. Praise God! More info in the next email.

•        Partners - We're looking for monthly financial partners as we only have 43% 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.

Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (Isa 60:1)

Loving HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)