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FAMILY CHRISTMAS

On the 24th of December, we always celebrate Christmas as a family. However, without me being in Mali, it did not compare to what we usually do. Paul ordered Western chicken with fries from a restaurant and invited all our sponsored children and all those working for us to our base to eat and fellowship together. Everyone also got a drink. Moreover, two of my grown-up sons came to celebrate with us. My heart was yearning to be there with them. After the meal, all the sponsored kids received gift bags in the name of their sponsors.

Look at more pictures here.

KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY

On the 26th, all kids were invited to our Christmas party on our base. The neighbors' kids had already seen us arrive with bags full of shoes and clothes days earlier and had spread the news of the party wide and far. At 5 am kids started lining up at our gate, and Paul started the celebration at 6 am and went until 5 pm.

And like last year, over 2000 children came to celebrate Christmas with the Christians. While some neighbors had forbidden their children to come, others were so thankful that their children would get a pair of shoes, as the desperation, the needs and hunger are on the rise in the country. However, we only had 2000 pairs of shoes for all four distributions, plus over 2000 pieces of clothing we had bought in addition to give away. The plan was to hand out 500 each in each location.

Paul started with playing a few games with the 2000 children. Then he led them in a time of singing and dancing and praising God. Next he had them sit down on the ground, and he shared the gospel with them from beginning to end, with Yacouba standing in as Jesus, as Paul told them about the crucifixion. He then had a time of questions and answers to see how well they had listened. Then he gave them the opportunity to start a life with Jesus. Someone recorded a short clip of those 2000+ children praying to receive Jesus. What a sweet sound, how precious it must be to heaven!

Then it was time for the gift distribution, as one after another entered our hall where they had laid out the shoes and clothes. Paul ended up giving away 1100 pairs of shoes, 520 pieces of clothing and 425 drinks to the children. By the end of the day he, Amadou and our kids that were helping were completely exhausted. And there was also a meal being served to those children who wanted it.

Look at more pictures here.

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGES

The very next day, the 27th, Paul went to Sebela. On the 28th he went to Dara, and on the 1st to Darala. In Sebela 500 pairs of shoes, 520 pieces of clothing and 250 drinks were handed out. About 350 children had to go home empty-handed. But everyone heard the gospel and had a chance to start a life with Jesus. The village chief, the elders and our local pastor all thanked us from the bottom of their hearts. It's the only time of year many of the children receive shoes, when we give them to them.

Dara is the village I've told you many stories about, where God has done great things. Remember how the village chief's son got saved, then an elder from the mosque, and how the people all lifted up stones to throw at the leaders of the mosque. One of those leaders is the new imam today. He decided to come to our program to see for himself what we were doing and what we were getting in return for what we were giving. He missed how Paul shared the gospel and prayed with all the children to receive Jesus, but when he came, he even helped Paul with the distribution. 700 pairs of shoes, 520 pieces of clothing and 400 drinks were given away. However, there were still a lot of children from all the surrounding villages there as well, about 1500, who did not receive anything. The imam was absolutely amazed to watch all that was going on and was impressed to see that it was all given in love without asking for anything in return. Please pray for his salvation.

Paul had given away the shoes for Darala in Bamako, but thanks to your donations we were able to buy 500 more. The village chief had already told Paul how desperately their children needed those shoes, and that he had told everyone to keep their children at home the day of the distribution instead of sending them off to work. He was there to receive Paul, when he arrived early in the morning. Paul went through the same routine of preaching the gospel, praying to receive Jesus, and then distributing the gifts. An adviser to the village chief helped him out and decided to become a follower of Jesus (man in green in the middle). 500 pairs of shoes and 500 pieces of clothing were distributed.

That means, in total 6000 children received gifts in the four locations, and 1850 had to go home empty-handed. It also means that nearly 8000 children heard the gospel (plus the adults around) and had a chance to start living with Jesus. A big thank you goes to CCARA who helped us buy shoes as well as to many of you who have given so we could buy clothes and more shoes, as well as drinks and food. Your reward is great, as is the eternal fruit!

Look at more pictures here.

THE WILSON FIVE IN VIENNA

Unfortunately it was too dangerous for us to fly to Mali this Christmas as the jihadists were waiting for our return. It was very hard for me not to be with my Malian family this special time of year after 19 years in Mali. It did not help that we had no family join us for Christmas, so that it was just the five of us. However, I put all my efforts into making it extra special for our three gifts from heaven, and it was. We celebrated on Christmas Eve (Austrian tradition), as well as on the 25th (American tradition). And we also made New Year's Eve as special as possible for them. The kids are now enjoying all their new toys, playing with them all day long, as their classes are still on break. As for me, I never had a break from teaching, though I do teach less right now. If any of you needs a tutor in German, English, French or Math, no matter where you are as I teach online, contact me.

We're hoping to start traveling more again this year. We're the most impatient to go to the US as the kids have never been and are hoping that the vaccination mandate to enter the US is being lifted soon. Right now we're looking to spend the summer in the US. What is already certain is that we are once again in Wels (Austria) for the missions conference in March, where I will also be teaching a workshop. We're also looking at ministering at a few other churches. I will keep you up to date on our schedule.

QUICK NEWS

•        Daily Blog - If you are not on Facebook but would still like to read my (nearly) 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 - Sammy has just received a new pair of special shoes, and he should get his wheelchair in the next few weeks. Some of the classes they attend are about to change, once they start up again next week. And the week after we are going on a one-week skiing vacation I'm very much looking forward to. It will be their first time on skis, at 3 years old, the same age their Mom was when she started.

•        Meeting With Government - Paul's meeting with government officials have been postponed a few times because of the holidays. Please pray for favor for him and us, as they question him more after having spent a few months investigating us after false accusations.

•        Bakary - This dear son of mine who's lived most of his life with us after we rescued him off the street at age 4, stole a few phones and ran away two months ago, just before finishing his carpentry school. Paul has now heard from him, and he said he'd be returning in January. Please pray for him.

•        Construction - In July we finally received our building permit we'd been trying to get for years. Our builder has been waiting for rainy season to end to pick up construction again, and now we're waiting for him to come and continue building our fourth building, which should be the case any day now.

•        Child Sponsors Needed - We still have 3 boys who need a sponsor to go to school and be taken care of. Please check out their stories here to choose who you would like to support for $60 or 50€ per month. Half-sponsorships are also possible.

•        Our Vehicle - Since our vehicle is on the rough roads all day long and often carries heavy weights with dozens of bags of rice, it's already pretty worn out and we spend more and more money on maintenance and repairs. Now our windshield is cracked badly and needs replacing which costs $560 or 540€. Please consider helping us with this expense.

•        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!

•       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.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

Trusting HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)