Dear Friends & Family,
How are you? We have some sad news. Youth With A Mission is mourning the loss of 11 members who died in a bus accident in Tanzania. Several others were injured, 2 of whom remain in a critical condition in hospital. They were all leaders from many different nations, returning to the Arusha base from a field visit on their master’s course with the University of the Nations. Several other people died, and others were injured in the accident, which involved 4 vehicles, and was caused by a lorry with brakes that failed. Two of those who died were leaders in the region in which we work. See here for more information.
In Chad the security situation has deteriorated after the government announced there would be presidential elections in May-June this year. There are conflicting accounts of a couple of incidents in N’Djamena in which a leader of the opposition party and several others were killed. The internet and mobile phone signals were turned off for a couple of days suggesting the authorities are concerned about reprisal attacks. N’Djamena was described as ‘calm’ the following day, but the political situation remains tense and the internet is not stable.
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?“Micah 6: 8 (NRSV)
Celestin is making progress in advancing the work in Koundoul and the nearby village of Kalambari where we started doing evangelism last month. This was very fruitful – several people made commitments to follow Jesus and we were given a place to meet for discipleship and Bible study. Praise God! A couple of people came to La Bergerie Evangelique des Nations in Koundoul the following Sunday, and last week the church continued with the program of evangelism in the area. The village is strategic because it is close to a Cameroonian refugee camp. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a generator to show the Jesus film as we had hoped.
The Discipleship Training School continues in Sarh, despite facing many challenges (lack of drinking water, electricity, equipment, and finances). One of the students was baptised in the river!
Work duties are an essential element of the school – serving one another in practical ways. The students and staff have made a new pit latrine. They dug out an old well and prepared land to make a garden to grow vegetables to eat.
One of the students has left the school, perhaps not ready for discipleship. There is not enough time for Celestin to obtain a visa before the School of Communication Foundations starts at YWAM Harpenden and we don’t have enough money to pay school fees, so we’re unable to do the school.
Mum is having respite care in a specialist residential care home in Saltash. She is safer there than at home and has the company of other people. She goes to church on Sunday, and we can visit anytime, with Poppy, her dog. Richard (Margaret’s brother) has taken Mum out in the car a few times. She seems a little better physically, although still has a productive cough for which she is taking another course of antibiotics. Her birthday is on 17th March when she will be 85! She is due cataract surgery 2 days later if she is fit.
Margaret is staying in Mum’s house to look after Poppy and the house. It’s difficult living there without Mum and being so far away from Celestin and the work in Chad. She will return to Chad on 13th April for 3 months if safe to do so. Meanwhile, praying, studying, and looking at how we can take forward the work in La Bergerie health centre. Celestin has moved the people who were living in the health centre to other accommodation so that we can plaster and paint the walls and make the centre ready to open. We still need furniture and equipment.
“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”John 14: 13-14 (NRSV)
Prayer:
- Praise God! He gives us the privilege to pray and wait on him to work miracles! He acts in love, in a way consistent with his character. He is Lord and Saviour!
- Pray for consolation for those who lost someone in the bus accident. Pray for those who witnessed the accident and helped at the scene. Pray for good treatment and healing of those injured, and repatriation where needed.
- Pray for the security situation in Chad and the elections. This is the opportunity for the country to return to a civilian government and develop the potential in the country! Praise God!
- Pray for YWAM Sarh base: ‘Village des Nations’ – it is possible that an organisation could be interested in helping us repair the water pump. Pray for the DTS students and staff as they are halfway through the lecture phase and will be preparing for the outreach.
- Pray for La Bergerie Health Centre. There is certain equipment and medicines we could get for free (funded by worldwide health campaigns) if we register as a health centre. We need to supply statistics for the number of children and adults treated and for what condition. Pray for the work on the buildings to make them ready to use as a health centre. Pray for the provision of equipment, materials, and medicines to stock the centre. Pray for the local people to understand how to use the health centre. Pray for people to experience God’s love, truth, and grace as we reach out to the local community.
- Pray for La Bergerie school. Any security issue can lead to school closures and disruption of education.
- Continue to pray for the evangelism in Kalambari – that people can grow in faith and understanding of God.
- Pray for Mum as she adjusts to being in the care home and for us to decide what is best for her in the future. Pray for a good celebration of her birthday! Pray for Richard during this time and for his responsibility as Lasting Power of Attorney for Mum. If she stays in residential care, it is likely that we will have to sell her house to pay for the care. Pray especially that Richard will have the strength to cope.
- Please continue to pray for finances. We are most grateful to all who give in obedience to the Lord.
