We would love to partner with you this "Mother's Day" by being a conduit of blessing to a needy Mom in a Third World Country where we minister. Click here to bless a needy mother on May 12th. For your convenience, we have provided a gift card for you to download and print.

Love in Christ,
Patt

Want to be a pack-mule for Jesus?

A generous partner has given us dozens of winter coats. I know, I know, this is springtime. But we don’t have room to store them until winter and they will be greatly appreciated, as an early gift for the cold weather, by our Nepali refugee partners who have been resettled in the Atlanta area. If you or someone you know is headed from Burlington to Atlanta in the near future and has room to take one or more garbage-sized bags, please contact us: 336-213-2990. We, and they, thank you!

   I had a lot of my normal anxieties about the conference, the relevancy and cohesiveness of the teaching sessions and how our women would relate to each other and the Samburu women. For those of you who know me, you’re not surprised! But I was also anticipating how exciting it was going to be to see the Lord work out every detail and how the donated money from various people (and the money that had been given in honor of my 70^th birthday) was going to be used to help the tribal Samburu women and those at the Sports’ Camp.

   In the end it was so like God to weave Himself throughout everything and bring glory to His name – certainly no surprise on that account! But, here were some of my anxieties and how they were resolved.

1. Would the 100 women show up and arrive in a timely manner for each of the 4 days? Exactly 100 showed up – on time – every day – in their Sunday best! And this from a group of women who had to get up before dawn, milk the goats/camels and walk to the venue. It was a 3-hour walk one way for some of them!
2. What if they brought their babies with them...would that disrupt things? About 2-dozen nursing babies came swaddled on their mothers’ backs. And yes, they did tune-up some part of each day. But none of the women seemed to notice or be distracted. Especially fussy babies were taken outside, settled down and brought back in. In an area where diapers are unknown, everything was taken care of without any awareness that it was being done. Quite fascinating.
3. Since this was a first-time women's conference, would the topics that were chosen relate to the women, and would the translators be effective and the women understand the scriptural truths we four white women were trying to convey?! Wow, who could have asked for better translators than Monicah and Natalina! They did a great job with Janet Jenkins, Marilyn Franck, Tierney Farrell and me! After each teaching, our gifted translators led the group in a summary of what had been said and let the women ask questions or make comments. That worked so well I wondered why we don’t do that in our churches here. It was evident that the Holy Spirit was/is able to transcend cultural differences, and it was a privilege to see it happen in person!
4. Some money had been sent ahead, but would the purchase of other things and the implementation of the items run smoothly once we got there? Another wow on that part. Everything went very smoothly, from distributing the solar digital players, to providing tea each day during the morning break, to giving each one a mirror and a new cloth, to helping with self-support projects for 2 needy women (animals) and 2 sewing machines to others. I think the joy on the faces of the women who received these gifts is contagious!

   Please watch the slide show because it gives visual expression as to how God worked abundantly above all I had imagined. 

   There were two more (of many) spiritual highlights that I want to report on. First, Marilyn’s husband, Jack, used an EvangeCube to present the Gospel message to the women during tea time. There was a palpable presence of the Holy Spirit as almost 40 women responded.

   And second, on Easter Sunday morning we had the added surprise of seeing Chairlady. She was the first woman convert in Kurungu and we hadn’t seen each other in years. She looked at J.L. and me and said, “I’m old now. And you look old too!”

   Next to the Lord and my dear J.L. (who both so lovingly yet firmly guide my steps), I want to thank the ladies who helped make such a difference in the success of the conference. Marilyn, Janet and Tierney quickly bonded with the women. It was a pleasure to have women along who were naturally friendly and out-going, who didn’t shy away from the language or cultural differences, who eagerly engaged the women and children, were good teachers, singers and sharers (and Tierney Farrell the awesome photographer!), who didn’t complain about the “adjustments” of living at the center, who ate what was put before them…well, the list could go on. We give God all the praise for orchestrating such a great team of women to work with!

   Another well-deserved thank you goes to Stakwell and Francesca and their camp staff (12 in all) who worked so tirelessly to see that we were taken care of! Such sweet and thoughtful people devoted to doing all things well for the Lord, whether in the kitchen, garden, housekeeping, building or maintenance – they were great!

   A final thank you to those of you who stood with us in prayer and with your financial gifts. It really was a group effort, as each contributed his or her part of the puzzle that made it possible for the whole picture to become…well…whole. We needed each other – and we must have each other – to accomplish the work God had called us to do. So, my heartfelt appreciation for your partnership with us, doing together what we never could have done separately.

   Please be watching for future reports on the trip that will include camp projects by the men, the Easter Sunday service and time with the warriors (morans). There is still so much to share!

   Gratefully in Christ,
   Patt
   

Patt and Meribell enjoy a swing together!

ANTICIPATING THE RETURN

Since January 17, 2012, the northern regions of Mali live in fear and insecurity. Famine, desolation and precariousness have settled. Populations, victims of harassment, abuse, exaction and all kinds of brutality moved towards the southern regions of Mali, during the attacks by the MNLA rebels and other Islamist groups. Tens of thousands of our citizens and hundreds of Christians have been forced to leave their areas of residence or usual intervention because of insecurity for other destinations often uncertain.

A few weeks ago, the entire Mali was in turmoil when we learned with dismay the progress of Islamists to the south. For us who fled our homes and our cities in recent months, the victory of the Islamists over the armed forces and security has aroused painful and excruciating memories. My family and I had the feeling of living a second exodus. Our mind was full of intrusive memories of looting and destruction of our homes and institutions ... theft, intimidation, threats, physical aggression, terrorism, rules of life contrary to the habits of the people, isolation, desecration of our places of worship and churches, prohibition practice of other religions outside of Islam.

All these memories have suddenly vanished and turned into a dream when we learned with great joy the French army intervention to stop the progression of the various armed groups, drug traffickers and Islamist terrorists. The whole nation had been released. What was commonly called the Northern crisis or the crisis in Mali comes to know an early settlement. They were scenes of jubilation and joy through the streets of our cities and countryside. Liberation and the future of the North became the favorite subjects in homes and places of conversation. Phone calls to congratulate each other and pray for the conquest of the North. This joy and happiness experienced their peak with the liberation of Gao and Timbuktu. “We were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing...The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psalm 126)

Joy and happiness were found on all visible faces. Our heads are big with projects and hope for our people, our hearts are filled with ambitious plans for our ministries and institutions. Regained freedom is a shared feeling. The euphoria was widespread even contagious. Despite the regained freedom, the joy seems halfhearted to the idea that the Kidal region, considered the bastion of terrorism is still under occupation. The signals sent from the French army do little to encourage optimism because we are all persuaded that the establishment of a lasting peace inevitably passes through the pacification of the region of Kidal. How long?

With this new situation, we face two major challenges. First is how to promote peace, reconciliation and healing between children of the same soil or country. Division and hatred have settled on both sides. Humiliation and bullying are still alive and living in the thoughts; feelings of revenge are still palpable. Secondly is how do we prepare for the return to our homes when we know that everything has been destroyed. Our churches have been vandalized, our homes looted, our libraries burned and our schools have become landfills. Everything must be rebuilt. In this crisis in Mali; Church and Christians were the most affected, but their fate was silenced by the national and international opinion in favor of manuscripts and mausoleums. To our amazement and dismay, we met with many people who do not know or do not want to recognize that more than 800 Christians were expelled from the North and robbed of their possessions which were auctioned.

How to consider the return and reconstruction in such circumstances? This is the great unknown or the most difficult question that arises to one and other. To these Christians, the burden is very heavy to carry.

We are anxious to return but there are many unknowns. For our part, the return will not be immediate. There are simply big reconstruction efforts to undertake at all levels. This reconstruction is not only physical, but moral and spiritual. It must lead and foster a climate of peace and justice. We look forward to the start of administrative services, the restoration of the authority of the state, the operation of hospitals and banks, the reopening of schools for our children. We plan to finish our academic year in Bamako and then we can calmly consider our return to Gao for the next academic year of the Institut Biblique de la Boucle when minimum conditions of life are met.

In the meantime, let us pray together for peace in Mali and reconciliation between the children of the country to be a reality. Pray for lasting social cohesion, for harmonious development and for the blossoming of the nation of Mali.

Dr Mohamed-Ibrahim Yattara
Institut Biblique de la Boucle

During J.L.’s most recent trip to Zimbabwe in November, I spent time cleaning out a few long-neglected closets.  In amongst the many pictures, I found J.L.’s high school football picture.  You recognize him, don’t you?!  To me the photo exemplifies a younger version of the man he has become…the man who so energetically advances the Kingdom of God and defends the faith! 

Several verses come to mind when I look at this picture: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…so that when the evil day comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  Eph. 6:11;13  “Fight the good fight of faith…” I Tim. 6:12 

But, really, he’s a whole lot like the horse in Job 39:19-25 who “…charges into the fray…in frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.  At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, ‘Aha!’”

That’s J.L.!  Well, maybe not the snorting part as much as the eagerness and energy  to get going for the Lord!  The following quote is one he has used often though I don’t know who originally wrote it.

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well-preserved body.  But rather to skid
in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming: “WOW – What a ride!”

So, please join me in wishing him a blessed 71^st birthday, and pray for him that he will continue to “…bear fruit in old age…stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; He is my Rock and there is no wickedness in Him.’” Psa. 92:14-15

With a heart full of love for a great man,
Patt

To all of that, I have to add my deep love and gratitude to our three children, their spouses and children!  Julie and Jonathan spent hours getting their house ready for my party.  I know they said they were going to decorate anyway, but they showed herculean energy in making their home look perfect.  April and Mark, and Joseph and Susannah helped with many other areas that lead up to the day of the party, not the least of which was the program that the grandchildren did for me and for the special gifts that were so carefully selected.  I was touched by the love shown to me and so I want to say, "I love you so very much!" to Matthew, Emma, Nathan, Luke, Owen, Abigail and Joy Yael.  

For reasons we do not know, Trish and Joe, and their four children (Victoria, Jack, Emily Elizabeth, and Rebekah) were not present.  God was gracious to help me appreciate the moments of happiness in the celebration and not be overwhelmed with the sadness of their absence.  The Lord has been so precious to me during this long estrangement, and has strengthened me with joy as I experienced such love from Mark and April, Joseph and Susannah, Jonathan and Julie, and those super seven grandchildren that I get to see often and love so much.

Thank you to Marg Cobb for another delicious party and supper!  You're the best!  And to all of you who sent cards, emails or called me, thank you for your kind and gracious thoughts and words.  I loved seeing so many of you at the party!   I didn't want any presents for this birthday but did agree that gifts could be given to JLPF for Third World women.  So to those of you who gave financially, I say, "WOW!"  I was thrilled about what was given for these women!!  It will be exciting to see how God uses your generosity in meeting some of their most pressing needs.  I will keep you posted from time to time on how the funds are being dispersed. 

The last but most important thing to write is to praise my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He alone deserves all the glory for His loving faithfulness to me all through my life.  He has always provided exactly what I needed when I needed it.  I am so grateful for His love, His discipline, His gentle direction and His firmer correction.  It's comforting to know that He, who knows me best, loves me most!

With a full heart,
Patt
Deuteronomy 31:8