New Events, Study Room Oct 8th, 2005

Hello. We've had lots happening since last time...

First, We made a ministry decision. We rented a shop in a busy location, the idea is to open a reading/study room for students. They can come, and sit and study in this calm place with tables, chairs, lights, and fans provided. We will stock it with Christian materials in French, and Bambara, and Arabic as well. (Moslems often believe that what is written is not true if not in Arabic) Hopefully, we can make some good contacts with student we'd not see otherwise.
Also, when Joannie comes, she can use this place to meet with students for tutoring. So here is a pic of Tom working on installing electric for the study room.



Second, The radio station had a very difficult week. It was a good week for farmers, as we recieved record rains. 4 days of the last 8 we recieved 1.5 inches or more each time. The problem was that the antennae somehow scooped up water, and it was dripping down the inside of the antennae cable like a garden hose! Not supposed to work like that. So the transmitter was working hard against this resistance to its signal.
So they had several days without programming. Thankfully, we were able to get someone to climb the tower to check it out, and we found a loose connection. We had to wait until the thunderstorms were over. He didn't want to climb the tower in a thunderstorm, silly man. (The antennae problem has nothing to do with how straight it isn't. A tornado took it out about a year and a half a go...) Anyway, we think all is well, and the last 2 days have gone well for them, Thank the Lord.



Third, Hilary had a visit this week from a lady who weaves baskets. Kind of a home ec supplementary thing. The lady came, and showed us step by step on weaving baskets the way her people do it. She's coming back Monday to finish up her lesson.
The kids had fun watching her work, and giving it a try. Lisa ended up with a coaster! Here is Hilary with her teacher...



Fourth, we sold our motorbike in Cote D'Ivoire. We found out that it was going to be a red tape headache to bring it up to Mali. So we sold it, and bought a new one.
Lisa, Hilary and Tom can drive it. (Although Hilary has yet to drive it on a real road, and won't be driving in town.) The motorbike gets great gas mileage, and is really handy for trips around town. We feel so much free-er with it. :-)
We only bought one bike this time, not two, so we have to take turns. But we both love to ride... So here is a pic of us each having a turn...



And Last! Praise the Lord, Joannie did get her plane ticket! She arrives at 2:30 am Oct the 31st. (Thats late night the 30th, if you are counting...)
We are so looking forward to having her join our family this year. We believe she will be a big help with our kids education, as well as helpful in ministry.
She has studied to be a teacher, so we hope to put those tutoring skills to work in the new study room. We need a good photo of her, We'll have to shoot her smiling face
as soon as possible!

Our house-building project is still in the future, but we've not started yet. We have to get bids from builders after they read our plans. Buying a house did not work out for us. One was too expensive, One was hopeful, but not for sale, One was needing too much work, and was too old. So we're going to have to build our own, instead.

We thank God for all He has done for us, and enabled us to do here. We look forward to working with students as youth ministry starts Sunday the 9th at our church.