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EASTER KIDS' PARTY

On Easter Sunday we organized our Easter Kids’ Party. It was the first time in a long time that the number of children had not increased compared to the previous party. We had over 1750 children show up this time, some already at our gates at 5:30 in the morning, others still arriving in the afternoon after it was over. Paul had 1150 children come in, did three games with them, then split them into two groups for the teaching. One group was inside our dining hall waiting, while the others were outside, where Paul shared the gospel with them from beginning to end. Then he taught the other group. After his teaching he asked questions to see whether the children had listened, then prayed a prayer of receiving Jesus with them.

Then it was time for the shoe distribution. We only had 1350 shoes this time, and he wanted to keep a big part for Dara, but with that many children all the 1150 that had come in got a pair of shoes. They also received a drink, then left the center or if they wanted to, stayed for a meal. While Paul was distributing the shoes, a lady from our neighborhood came up to him crying, saying that she desperately needed shoes. Paul explained to her that they were only for children, but he had compassion on her and gave her his own money to go buy shoes.

After they were done with the distribution, Paul saw that hundreds of children were outside our gates. He went on the roof of the hall from where he preached the gospel to them und prayed with them to start a life with Jesus.

I have shared with you many times before how hostile most of our neighbors are towards us just because we're Christians, and all the problems we've had with them. Paul said the increased prices and increased hunger and poverty have led to a greater appreciation of our neighbors for the shoes and food we give to them and their children. Praise God!

SHOES MULTIPLYING AMONG THE POOR

It was only last Sunday that Paul took 1200 shoes to the village of Dara to distribute. At first we didn’t have the funds for a distribution there, but the people of Dara pleaded with us, saying it’s the only time their kids get shoes. We were thankful, when the German NGO CCARA stepped in to finance 1000 shoes. The shoe store owner we've been buying the shoes from for years is originally from Dara and is always very generous and giving us additional shoes for free, even now that the shoe prices have also increased considerably. (I found out later that he did not give us any shoes for free this time.)

People started lining up at the local school in the early morning hours. The village chief sent Paul some guards for the team's protection. At 6:30 am Paul and his team started laying out the shoes in the classroom. Then he preached the gospel to the kids gathered outside and prayed a prayer to receive Jesus with them. Then the distribution started. Someone was keeping track how many shoes were given away, as it became clear that there were a lot more kids than shoes, so that Paul was going to send someone to buy drinks for the kids for whom there were no more shoes. And then God multiplied the shoes! They gave away 1400 to 1500 pairs of shoes, then Paul bought another 400 drinks for the children, therefore over 1800 children received a gift, and still some had to leave empty-handed. We have seen food multiply, but it’s the first time for shoes! God is good!

THE WILSON FIVE IN MEXICO

A few months ago we were informed about a conference with Heidi Baker and David Hogan that was only for full-time missionaries and only upon invitation with all expenses paid for (except the flights). We started an application process and were accepted. Still, for the longest time it was unclear whether we'd be able to buy the plane tickets, and would still appreciate anyone wanting to help with that expense. One day the ticket prices were lower and the connections better, and we closed the deal and purchased the tickets.

The closer our departure on Monday comes, the more excited we get, anticipating God to have some big things in store for us, given the warfare we've had recently. Just days before leaving we've all had Covid again, and then I needed a root canal. We are very aware that it will not be easy at all to travel so far with three two-year-olds, to deal with jetlag that the kids have not had before, and then having childcare for Tammy and Emmy during the meetings, being separated from us which they are not used to. Also we will have Sammy in the meetings with us, and the list goes on. We would really like your prayers for the trip, our time there, and our return June 6 and 7. We will also have Sammy prayed for as much as possible by all those wonderful men and women of God. While cerebral palsy is not curable for man, it's easy for God!

QUICK NEWS

•        Daily Blog - If you are not on Facebook but would still like to read my daily blog about our life (with the triplets), including pictures, you can do so on our website. Go to https://h2tni.org/blog/.

•        The Triplets - The children have been enjoying going to dance class, exercise class and music class, as well as going to church. They've been pretty busy, but loving it all. At Easter they got to do many things for the first time and had a lot of fun. As for Sammy, he is getting a walker in the weeks to come as he enjoys walking so much. He's not only going to physiotherapy every week, but has had all kinds of additional doctor's appointments and more to come. We've been really blessed having our friend Sonja come about 3 times a week to help, and are very sad (though happy for her) that she has now found a job. That means we have no more help, when we return from Mexico. Please pray for that need!

•        Child Sponsors Needed - We still have 3 boys in the village of Dara who had to drop out of school for various reasons and need a sponsor so they can go back to school. Please check out their stories here to choose who you would like to support for $60 or 50€ per month. We're also about to take in 5 orphaned siblings, and the three boys still need sponsors. Half-sponsorships are also possible.

•        Situation in Mali - The jihadists are moving more and more south and have just kidnapped three white people in the south of Mali, which has so far only happened in central and northern Mali. And the coup leader and current president of Mali has just announced that Mali is withdrawing from the 5-country anti-jihadist force combatting jihadists in the Sahel, isolating Mali even more. The sanctions imposed on Mali in January are still in place and exacerbating rising prices for everything, increasing hunger and even famine. We now have a long list of people in need of rice that we help whenever we can financially. The rice price has increased by 25% so that a bag of rice now costs $40 or 38€.

•        Family Changes - All the changes of the composition of our family that I have told you about have been delayed and are going to take place in the coming weeks. The main reason was that we wanted to allow all the children involved to finish their school year, as some of them will have to switch schools. Fanta (picture )is moving out and moving into a house that we'll pay the rent for at first, while the faithful widow Korotoumou who is part of our church is moving in. And then the 5 orphaned siblings between the ages of 5 and 12 will also be moving in. Please pray for all those changes!

•        Permit & Deed - Every time there is a coup, new personnel is put into place and we have to start the whole process again. Now that they have stopped and picked up work again several times, Paul continues going to meetings so we can have our building permit and title deed soon. Please pray to that end.

•        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 we'll find a teacher!

•        Malian Director Paul - Please continue praying for Paul who leads the ministry all by himself. He already has two children, and now his wife is pregnant with their third child due in September.

•       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.

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered... Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied... (Mat 14:16-17, 19-20)

Trusting HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)