Prayer Bulletin

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. We began our furlough on October 2 and have approximately one more month to go. Our first tour in Rwanda was one of the best ever in Africa, but left us exhausted. Also, the doors opening in Rwanda are so large that we continue to be struck by our own inadequacy for the task. This month we ask for your prayers for the following matters:

1. Thankfulness for Rest: During our first 2 weeks in the U.S. we traveled 2,000 miles in 2 weeks, and then we settled into life in Oklahoma City to renew our relationship with Quail Springs and Oklahoma Christian University. For the first time in a year we found ourselves able to sleep 8 hours through the night. Also, we found ourselves many times napping for 2 hours during the day. We did not realize the wear and tear that ministry in Rwanda had placed upon our bodies and spirits. We were thankful for the rest, and encouraging visits. We ask that you pray that as we return to Rwanda next year, we can establish a sustainable pace.

2. Thankfulness for Future Co-Workers: The Lord has abundantly answered our prayers for more co-workers to join us in Rwanda. We are convinced the biggest hurdle to overcome to take advantage of the developing ministry opportunities is to recruit a sufficient number of qualified personnel. Caleb and Jenny Beck plan to join us in April, 2007 as Apprentices. Caleb is a Kenyan Missionary Kid. Both Caleb and Jenny are Ironman Athletes and we look forward to both their youthful enthusiasm and enduring character to refine our work. Amy Brown will join us to teach Primary Grades at Kigali International Community School (KICS) by April, 2007. Amy has been in East Africa many times and comes highly recommended. We look forward to her Can Do Attitude joining us. Brian and Christy Dollinger will join us in August 2007 to serve as the Principal of KICS. We are thrilled at the Dollingers addition to our KICS leadership. Sam and Nancy Shewmaker plan to join us in September 2007 to serve as Mission Resource Networks Church Planting Facilitator for Africa. We ask that you keep all of these new team additions in your prayers. May their funds be readily discovered, and may our team grow in our sense of unity and purpose.

3. Wisdom for New Opportunities: We’ve never seen anything like what is developing in Rwanda. If we were 10 years younger it would stir our ambitions. Now, it fills us with holy terror. Will the funding be discovered? If so, can we manage it? Will we be found faithful? Will we be able to pace ourselves so that we are sustainable? Will we be permitted to say no to distractions? Will we have the wisdom to know what the distractions are? May we discover greater wisdom and more strength for the task. Thankfully, God has placed around us a team of counselors, guides, and co-workers. May our combined wisdom be the Lord’s.

4. Beard’s Vehicle: Kyle and Luz Beard are doing a fantastic job of holding down the fort in Kigali. They just spent their first Christmas away from their family in the U.S. We know from experience this is one of the toughest seasons to adjust to. They have had an added stress that needs your prayers. Their vehicle is just not running well. They had the engine rebuilt for $1,500 a few months ago. Recently they took a trip to Uganda for some much needed rest and their vehicle broke down again. They were stranded in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully, they were able to get to a nearby town where missionaries, Nick and Rene Fouts helped them get back on their feet. However, they had to tow their vehicle several hundred miles back to Kigali, ride public transport, and are at the end of their end. There is a good possibility they’ll need at least $3,000 to replace the engine of their vehicle. We know that in the U.S. vehicle repairs can be a pain, but to be honest they are a piece of cake compared to Africa. The stress of not knowing that your vehicle is safe to drive and that you have the ability to leave your ministry context to rest is almost unbearable. One of past nightmares we experienced in ministry was a 3 year period in which we could not get our vehicle to run properly in Uganda. We do not want the Beards to go through these types of experiences. We ask your prayers for them to have the resources and wisdom to soon have a well running vehicle.

Again, thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement that sustain our ministry. May this Holiday season be one that fills you with joy and hope.

Imana ikurinde (May God keep all of you),

Dave and Jana

P.S. This month we finally received Timothy’s U.S. passport and other than raising Ruth and Timothy to adulthood we think we’re done with the entire hoop jumping to finalize their adoption and U.S. citizenship. Thank you for your many prayers.