November Prayer Letter

November Edition

Hi,

I hope this letter finds you all well. The weather is turning here in sunny Dakar, the humidity has gone down by about 5 percent and there is much more dust in the air and on our countertops than there was before - winter is coming!! Life is going pretty well here. I have moved into a new apartment because they needed to make room for a student teacher coming next semester. The apartment is really nice, the water pressure is amazing... the only downside is I have no internet there, so I have to go to the office to get it. I hope none of you got hit too much by hurricane Sandy and are able to fix things up quickly as necessary. 

-Missionaries: I received this prayer request the other day and thought I would pass it on. 

"Hello Family and Friends,

We have an urgent prayer request for Brazilian missionaries serving in Senegal. Jose and Marli have been working in Africa for many years and in Senegal since 2005. They have a Christian school for Senegalese children, a church and a Centre for street boys. They recently moved to a compound in a village and live there with their youngest son (in grade 4). They have a few other missionaries working there with them including a Brazilian lady who is the Dorm Mom for the boys that live there. She's been working in Senegal since 2010. She cooks, cleans, and teaches the children. The boys are former street kids that have said they want to get off the streets. They have a chance to come live there and get some care and some training. The orphanage has 20 kids currently living there with four more waiting in Dakar to be transferred to the compound. When they take the boys in, they search for the families and have them sign documentation saying it is ok for the boys to be there.

One of the activities that is available for the boys is planting and maintaining a garden. They choose whether or not to participate in this and the boys can keep the money they receive from the sale of the vegetables. Many of the boys come from Muslim families and some of them have chosen to leave Islam and become followers of Jesus. Yesterday (Tuesday) Jose and the Dorm Mom, Zeneide were arrested and accused of abusing the boys by forcing them to work there. The accusation came from the father of one of the boys. Although we are told he had previously signed the paperwork authorizing the 17 year old to live there, when he found out his son is now a Christian he made this false accusation.

Jose and Zeneide spent last night locked up in the police station in the town near their compound. Jose’s wife was able to get in to see them last night and bring them mattresses and insect repellent and other things. They were told they would be transferred to a jail in a larger city today. The following is an update that Marli wrote this evening.

"Dear friends, finally this afternoon Jose and our sister Zeneide were transferred to Thies to have a hearing. The documents of accusation claimed that we are an “Association Harming the children.” They were forced to sign this document without being able to read what they were signing. Those who know us know how hard we have worked for the well being and happiness of the children of Senegal. We need you to keep praying for us. They will remain one more night in prison. This time they are in a cell for criminals, with no light, water, or even a chair to sit, without being able to have any personal belonging, a filthy holding cell. I cried a lot seeing the situation, but I need to be strong. Please pray that they will at least let us take a mattress for them tonight, so that they will have a place to rest tonight. They will have a hearing tomorrow that could set them free or keep them in jail for several more days until the whole situation is resolved. So please keep praying."

I spoke with Marli this afternoon and she specifically asked for prayer for Mustapha. He is the son of the accuser and they are very concerned about him. He has left the compound and they don’t know if he is hiding or if his father has taken him back home. Under the circumstances, neither one is a good situation for him.

Here is a link to a video that they use for promotional purposes, if you would like watch it, it will give a little more information about their ministries. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZfZjtMdNp8

Thank you for holding up missionaries around the world with your prayers."

Today I found out that the hearing was delayed because they wanted to gather more evidence against Jose and Zeneide. Pleasepray for this family that they will trust in God, and that God will be their comforter. These people are doing a good work and Satan is trying to stop it from happening - please pray that God prevails. 

-International Appreciation Week: This is next week. This is a time when we change up our normal lives and have special activities. On Monday we will have a parade of nations, Tuesday will be Olympics, Wednesday will be the Taste of Nations. International Dress Day, and the talent show, Thursday will be Trivia Bowl Challenge (jeopardy about the world) for the MS/HS and crafts and pinatas for the elementary, and Friday is chapel and the closing ceremony. Please pray that all of these things go well. I am in charge of the jeopardy - which basically means I made the powerpoint for it, so please pray that there will be no technological glitches. Pray that all those who are helping us will be able to do their part and with joy. 

-Danielle: She is going back to the States at the end of the semester and once she is there will be looking for a job, a place to live, and a car. Please pray that she finds all of these in good time. Pray that she will know where God is leading her in these next few years. And pray that she has good closure with the people here at DA as she leaves here after working here for 5 1/2 years. 

Well, I think that is all for now. I thought I had more, but I can't think of it. If you have any prayer requests of your own, please let me know. Thank you for your prayers! Have a great day. Ruthanne