Dear Friends,
In Baraka (DR Congo), student enrollment continues to grow.
Director Shukuru is very active in leading his staff in outreach efforts to bring in more deaf students from the city of Baraka and the surrounding Fizi territory. It’s so exciting to see so many deaf children getting an education for the first time in their lives, and eventually learning of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of salvation. One of the challenges we continue to face is the lack of furniture in our new school. The facility we finished building a few years ago is much larger than the rented facility we had previously, and the old furniture only goes so far. Thus our classrooms have limited seating, and many students have to share furniture or sit on the floor. But they’re happy to be there, and happy to learn. Shukuru has made a number of attempts to do fund raising with local NGOs in order to buy more furniture, but the response continues to be lackluster. Pray that we will be able to raise funds to purchase more desks and chairs for the students.
In Chad, Director Yves has an interesting opportunity to collaborate with Victor Vodounou, the founder of Live Ear Ministries in Cotonou, Benin. (Back in the 1970s, Victor was a student at our school for the deaf in Benin.) We’re thankful that he continues to labor for the Lord among the deaf in Benin.
Victor has reached out to Yves and asked for assistance in putting on a Bible camp for the deaf in July, as well as a 3-week Bible institute in August. Time is precious, so I don’t know to what extent they’ll be able to collaborate. I’ve seen the preliminary agenda for the Bible institute, and I’m quite excited to see what God has in store. So far, their offerings include classes like NT Survey, Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology. Seeing that kind of zeal makes me wish I could go, but unfortunately, I have commitments in Zambia that will conflict. Pray that Yves will be able to free up some time to help with Victor and Live Ear Ministries.
Truly, your prayers are coveted.
Tim Foster
Director
