Board Meeting, Boys Update, Next Week

Today is the day of the Bible School board meeting when we hope to formalise our partnership relationship with the board through an official document. This will be a helpful step as it clearly outlines both parties’ responsibilities in the partnership. I will report again about this meeting.

The two young boys that we reported on earlier have come back to give us updates. Gullivers had his eyes treated and is doing much better. He must have monthly checkups and so the Bible School’s medical clinic will take this over from now on unless he gets worse. What a blessing to see his eyes improving. Unfortunately the local hospital just does not have the right people to deal with such issues, so the trip to Mansa was a necessity. Gullivers mother even returned some cash that was not required and she also wants to study at the Bible School next year.

Godfrey and his dad travelled to Mambalima and he has been accepted at this school starting in August. The problems his family will have are getting there and back each term (probably by bicycle - about 200kms or more), fees and food requirements. We are working with the family to see if there is the possibility of a micro loan that will enable them to increase their income through extra business/farming. These loans are working very effectively in the community and making a big difference for many impoverished families. The capital must be repaid, however they get a help up to being more productive. The fees and food for one term are only about NZ$50 but we do not want to create dependency by paying these things when families need to work hard to provide what they are able. We may assist with a small amount this term until the family are able to provide.

Please pray for this next week at the Bible School when I will be teaching through 1 & 2 Timothy. We have had all the headings for my notes translated and copied which will make class time much more efficient. The following weekend we are off to Kasenga in the Democratic Republic of Congo for leadership training with graduates and their leaders. We value your prayers.

Please also pray for Donald’s Mum who is waiting for surgery to place a stent near her heart. She is very breathless and can’t do much at all - very unlike her. The surgery was due on 14th but now 28th - pray that it will happen then!