Deaf Witness

Christian Mission for the Deaf's Newsletter

Vol 48 No. 1 January - March 2008

Dear Prayer Partners,

Chad
Matibi was 7 years old when her parents enrolled her in the primary school in our Christian Center at Walia. Her older sister and brother brought her to school every day, and for the first few days, they tied Matibi with a cord, left her at the school and ran away. Her teacher tried to console her and brought her to her class. Thank God for change! Today Matibi makes good grades, and often comes to school before other students, in spite of walking a four-mile commute. We would think that four miles to be too far for walking, but it's not uncommon in Chad. As gas prices continue to soar, I wonder how many of us would take up walking or biking?

When Director Yves Beosso went for business into the capital city of Ndjamena one day in February, he had to flee back to Walia because of a rebel attack on the capital. He almost lost his motorbike to the soldiers. Many vehicles have been confiscated from innocent people, and some people were killed and many injured in the random violence. Several public buildings were destroyed. The authorities were able to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew for some time until the city returned to calm. Because of this situation, the deaf had to postpone their regular Easter-time Bible camp to mid-April. Please pray that the country becomes peaceful for a long time, and that citizens can return to moving about without fear. Pray also that the evangelism among the deaf continues to bear fruit.

Nigeria
This map shows seven locations where Bible Camps prepared by deaf leaders were held during the same Easter weekend. Pray for those who have seriously decided to follow the Lord and to stand firm for Him.

Although the exchange rates have been about the same with minor fluctuations during the past two years, the prices for many of the building materials have sky-rocketed. For example, a bag of cement cost 800 Naira (about $7) last year, and now costs 1850 Naira (about $16). The construction of the first of several buildings has already begun in February on the new site about 15 miles south of Ibadan. Please pray that the Lord provides the means to finish this project in good time. The school is to have ten classrooms on the first floor, and when more funds are available, ten more classrooms on the second floor. The students in elementary and junior high schools at our Christan Center in Ibadan are looking forward to their move to this new building.

Democratic Republic of Congo
In January, the Crumleys (retired missionaries, and members of our board we mentioned them in our last newsletter) were blessed to be able to return to their former work area deep in the Congo forest. The two-day trip was quite an experience: it began with a flight on a MAF plane from Bukavu to an airstrip in the forest, then by bicycle (with a make-shift seat made of vines attached on top of the back wheel). Glenn and Marjorie sat on the woven seats, while 3 Africans pushed and steered each bike. The Lind-quists walked. The thirteen mile trip to the river lasted all day. They crossed the river in a dug-out canoe that barely floated, and continued for three more miles on a rough forest path to reach the village of Katshungu. The villagers were over-joyed to see the Crumleys after their two-decade absence. They stayed for a few days and shared sermons, songs and stories. The thrill of the reunion far outweighed the treacherous trip to the village. On the long trip back to Bukavu, Marjorie got ill, so the planned trip to Uvira was out of question. However, they called the Uvira principal to come out to meet them with the Bukavu principal to discuss the matters of the schools. During their time in Bukavu, a severe earthquake killed several people. Earthquakes in this area are very rare. The after-shocks lasted for several days, and many people slept outdoors to avoid being crushed by unstable houses. Please pray for Crumley's granddaughter Renee (on the far left in the picture). She is still in Bukavu, working with both the deaf and the hearing.

Pililo, the principal in Uvira, hoped to have a camp during the recent Easter vacation, but due to problems with the registration from the deaf in other cities, it had to be postponed to the summer. The picture here shows last year's camp with the participants from three cities: Uvira, Bukavu, and Bujumbura - Uvira's twin city in the neighboring tiny country of Burundi. Due to lack of postal services in the DRCongo, Pililo goes to Bujumbura every month to pick up our funds. It is not uncommon for some of the border crossings to close, but thank God that it has not happened for several years.

Thank you for your prayer, remembrances and support. Please continue to pray for the spiritual blessings and needs of the deaf in Africa.

As we continue to face the challenges ahead, let us also remember Jesus' admonition: And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places. Matt. 24:6-7

The Lord continue to bless you!

Gratefully yours,

Berta Foster

WHERE TO SEND GIFTS:

U.S.A.: Christian Mission for the Deaf, P.O. Box 28005, Detroit, MI 48228-0005. 

CANADA: MSC Canada, 509-3950 14th Ave, Markham, ON L3R 0A9. Please make checks payable to "MSC Canada" and state that it is for Christian Mission for the Deaf.

UNITED KINGDOM: Lord's Work Trust, 42 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland KA3 1RH. Please make cheques payable to "Lord's Work Trust" and state that it is for Christian Mission for the Deaf.

THOSE IN OTHER COUNTRIES wishing to send donations, please contact CMD at the address above for more information.

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