Category: Update

Dear Prayer Partners,

Please be in prayer with us regarding a seminar opportunity in N’Djamena, Chad later this fall. In my discussion with Yves Beosso, our school director there, we feel there is a strong need for a leadership training conference at his campus. We’re still in the exploration phase, so we covet your prayers regarding finances for the conference, attendance and participation.

We’re excited to see the launch of two new schools for the deaf in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. One is in the town of Rutshuru, and the other is in the town of Fizi. Both schools are being led by young deaf men who have been educated at Congolese schools founded by CMD. Shukuru Heritier and Chance Bakunzi are the deaf young men heading up these schools, and are currently raising funds in preparation of the new school year. There are many deaf people in these towns in need of an education so they can hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray with us that the Lord will provide the resources, material and additional staff for these schools.

In Him,

Tim Foster

Dear Prayer Partners,

It was truly amazing to see how God has been nurturing the deaf that attended our annual Congo Bible Conference in mid-July. Attendance was higher than expected, and the volume of feedback we received was strong evidence that they’ve been growing both in their appetite and their knowledge of the Scriptures. What a joy it is to see how God has been keeping them firmly rooted in Him as He continues to shape us all into the image of His Son!

A special treat for us this year came in the form of a mission team from Harvest Bible Church in Westland, Michigan. Not only did they help with food and games, but they also performed drama routines throughout the week covering the material we were teaching in Colossians. We’re deeply grateful for their assistance! In addition to our conference, they also helped Tom and Kathy Lindquist with 3 other conferences in the area. Truly, they were a hard-working group.

In Him,

Tim Foster

Dear Prayer Partners,

We’re down to the wire as plans finalize for our annual conference in Bukavu (DR Congo). We’ll be teaching through the book of Colossians and demonstrating how the supremacy of Christ mandates that disciples pursue both comprehensive doctrine and faithful Christian living. To that end, Lord willing, we’ll be addressing particular issues that have come up in recent months on matters of Biblical faithfulness. Pray that our words will be faithful and well received.

A short-term mission team from Michigan will be on site, finishing up a 2-week trip to the eastern DR Congo region. We’ll be putting them to good use as we are expecting a larger turnout of attendees this year. Pray for unity and charity as we work together for His name’s sake.

In Him,

Tim Foster

Dear Prayer Partners,

Fall enrollment is now underway for our center in Ibadan, Nigeria. We’re also in the process of hiring some new staff members and teachers. Please pray with us that we’ll find the right people, and that our school will stay filled to capacity.

Construction at the new campus is moving along nicely. We’re thankful for the recent donation of a solar-powered well and elevated water storage tank. This gift will greatly help both the construction and use of the new campus. We’ve also received a generator. It won’t replace the ailing primary generator, but every little bit helps!

In Him,

Tim Foster

Dear Prayer Partners,

Praise God for wonderful 18th Annual Easter Camp in the city of Doba, Chad. Despite hardships due to a lack of utensils, water, and electricity, the 220 attendees patiently prayed and waited on the Lord. After two days, they found an occasion to praise God when local evangelical churches came in to assist and meet their needs. The topic of the camp was The End Times, from Mark 13 and 14. Director Yves Beosso reports that 19 people gave their lives to Christ. Praise God!

Shortly before the camp, we had a visit from a delegation of officials from the US Embassy. They responded to our request to assist with the construction of 2 permanent buildings for office and classroom. If they decide to contribute, they’ll help with about $12,000USD of a $16,000 project. We’ll need to raise another $4,000 to complete it. Pray that these much-needed building projects can go forward.

In Him,

Tim Foster

Dear Prayer Partners,

Plans for our July camp in Bukavu are coming along smoothly. The Lindquists are helping to facilitate a leadership conference for hearing pastors at the same time. They will meet in the same building, down the hall from where our deaf conference will be meeting. The teachers for that conference are from Michigan, and they will be bringing 13 people from Michigan with them. Their 2-week trip will also include one week of work in the bush at the Berean mission facility, and one week of leadership training in Bukavu.

On our end, we’re interviewing a deaf American who is quite excited about the possibility of helping out. If the Lord works this out, it’ll be a good opportunity for deaf Africans to interact with a deaf American – something they have asked for on several occasions.

Still much to plan, so keep us in your prayers.

Tim Foster
Director

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you for your continued support of the work we do among the deaf in Africa.

Please keep our Chad school in your prayers. Several years ago, we received a nice piece of property to build a new school. It’s located a few miles outside of the city, and we are waiting on the Lord for funds to begin construction. Unfortunately, a squatter came and built a small building on it. The laws in Chad are such that we must pay him for his construction costs if we want to move him off the property. A court decision has assessed the cost to be $8,000 – funds we don’t have to spend. There may be a couple of legal options that we may be able to use.

Pray for wisdom for director Yves Beosso and the elders there as they work through this situation.

In Him,

Tim Foster
Director

Dear Prayer Partners,

Summer plans are beginning to take shape and come into focus. Our 7th annual
Congo Bible Camp with the Lindquists will involve a team from Michigan
coming to help and experience foreign missions in the DR Congo. It’ll be the
largest team we’ve had working at a camp. Pray that we’ll be able to make
good use of the extra hands, with appropriate tasks planned for each
team-member. I feel it would be unwise to have spectators on a “mission
trip”, so careful planning is required so that each person can be a faithful
steward of the opportunities before us.

Yves Beosso, our director in Chad, was such a great asset at the Congo camp
last summer. We would love to see him involved in a long-term training
endeavor in the Congo in the next year or two. Deaf leaders of his caliber
are hard to find in Africa. Brining him to the Congo would involve quite a
few challenges, especially since his wife will need special assistance
during his absence (his wife suffered a stroke 5 years ago, almost at the
same time my mother, Berta, had her stroke). Pray that God will lead us as
we explore this training opportunity

In Him,

Tim Foster
Director