Dear praying friends,

Greetings from Dakar where the temperatures are still very pleasant and not too different from what many of you are experiencing with spring's arrival.  The cool weather seems to be lasting longer than usual and the only disadvantage is that we haven't been swimming much!

On the family front, our big news is that Trevor has been accepted into Mechatronics Engineering at University of Waterloo!  He has decided to begin this program in September instead of doing a second year at Emmanuel Bible College, and we support him in that direction.  We are thrilled that the university considered him as a homeschooler and pray that God will use this training to prepare him for whatever the future holds.

We PRAISE God for:

1. growth in faith in the lives of numerous Senegalese Bible translators.  Several of our language projects have national translators who are not Christians or who are young in their faith.  One of our translation consultants recently commented to Ken that she has seen marked growth in several of their lives.  This shouldn't surprise us since these men are immersed in Scripture every day as they wrestle with translating it into the language of their hearts.  What a confirmation that "the word of God is living and active" as it transforms their lives!

2. significant annual branch meetings.  During our days of Renewal and Fellowship we were blessed by a team of counsellors from the States, as well as a child care team from England, who ministered to adults and children alike.  We looked at issues of the heart, enjoyed an evening of English country dancing, and worshiped together every day, including special services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  We hope to welcome a child care team from our supporting churches in Kitchener-Waterloo next year at this time!

3. an important step to involve nationals in our work.  During our Business Days we moved toward opening the door for Senegalese colleagues to join us as national members.  We realize that we have much still to learn about how to include our national colleagues, but we look forward to them being more involved in the decision-making of our branch in the future.

4. our branch's openness to hosting the West African Regional Meetings this past week.  Forty branch directors and leaders came from across West Africa to compare notes, be updated and encourage each other.  They filled our centre and kept many of us hopping!  Ken ended up downtown chasing down visas for several of them, and Cheryl provided one of the evening meals for the group.

5. a complete planning committee for the Dakar Missionary Women's Retreat.  Many members were not able to continue from last year but God has provided other women who are excited about the retreat and are willing to contribute their gifts and time to organizing the retreat for November.

6. Trevor's graduation from the one-year program at Emmanuel Bible College.  The year has had its ups and downs but has been a good place for Trevor to make the transition to academic life in Canada.  Pray for him as he says goodbye again and moves on, although without having to leave the city, country or continent this time!

7. a wonderful piano recital.  Rachel played a beautiful piano solo, as well as a lively duet with her big brother!  Then Darren amazed us all as a budding bass soloist singing an Italian aria!  He has recently discovered this voice of his.  One week earlier at the mission school talent showcase, he took great delight in surprising many of his friends with a Phantom of the Opera number in which he played piano (which they all expected) and then opened his mouth and sang the solo (which they did not expect).  Great fun!

Please join us in PRAYING for:

1. stamina among our branch members.  This past month has been intense, and many members, including Ken, are carrying very full loads.  Pray for wise decisions about how much each can handle.

 

2. wisdom for Cheryl as she coordinates the retreat planning.  She is really enjoying working with the great team of women but needs wisdom to facilitate their work and keep the big picture in sight.

 

3. a centre manager during our year of home assignment (2008-09).  The load is heavy on Ken now but he really doesn't want the branch carrying that load in his absence.  He is looking and praying for someone with a specific trade skill or general handy abilities.  Let us know if you have anyone to suggest!

 

4. a solution to a water leak in our house.  Our last water bill was astronomical.  A leak exists somewhere in the house but there is no visible evidence and we have no idea where it is.  Please pray that Ken and our plumber will be able to figure it out, without it costing us a lot more money.

 

5. a summer job for Trevor.  The leads he has pursued have not yet materialized into a job so please pray for initiative and perseverance for him, as well as a job that will give him helpful experience.

 

6. a good decision about housing for Trevor for next year, whether in residence at the university or off campus.

 

7. Darren's hyperthyroid condition.  Recent tests showed a slight improvement in his hormone levels, but not nearly as much as we would like to see.  Please pray that in the next 3 months the increased medication and time would bring his levels into the normal range.  Thankfully he is not affected by any symptoms or negative side effects of the medication.

8. Darren's future plans.  We continue to think and pray about the best place for him to pursue future studies after Grade 12 (a little more than a year from now!).  Music is high on his list of priorities, but he isn't sure whether to study music at a Bible school or university.

It is a joy for us to know that we do not stand alone here.  Your prayers keep us here and keep us at peace.  Thank you.

Love in Christ,

Ken, Cheryl, Trevor, Darren and Rachel