New Christian Church in Koro

Currently the Christian church in Koro worships in a space that is just too small.  There is not enough room for everyone that wants to attend.  Hundreds of people are left trying to listen to the service outside the walls.  The church leaders have recruited Ibrahima to help plan and build a place of worship that will hold 1000 people. What an amazing sign of vitality and growth of the Church!  Here is what Ibrahima says in his latest update:

The church building project is still on the founding stages but is requiring many meetings.  All this is due to the fact that, to avoid the huge costs, the church hasn't given the work to a contractor.  Masons are building according to the execution plan that is given by a civi engineer, while our little volunteer team is keeping an eye on its correct execution.  Only two of us cna read technical plans for construction.  It makes things more difficult and takes much of our time.  I am thankful for my (shortened) mechanical training that taught me about these kinds of drawings, and for my brother who is a civil engineer!  

Grace News April 2014

   

We call March and April the months of Energy in Mali.  The wind and the bright and burning sun are everywhere in the country and in the whole Sahara zone. Here people live in this heat without energy to cook their food and the bright sun without light to read at night. The wind blows from everywhere but there is no energy to power a fan at night in the bedroom. What a contrast for someone who knows what electrical energy is made of. Education is the only thing that can free human beings and fight the poverty in this advantaged but still disadvantaged place in the world.

We were privileged to have the president of the Republic visit Koro on March 21^st. He did the ground breaking for the road-building project from Koro to Burkina Faso and from Koro to Bandiagara.

 President Keita and county mayor visit the solar power center.

The students wanted to meet him and shake his hand, but security changed everything. Safety rules have restricted that the president will not shake hands with the public, he will stay in the car and just wave. Only authorized people are allowed to take pictures. We were asked to turn off our cameras. But we did take a few pictures anyway.

The bible that the students were to hand to the president was in the end given to the county mayor of Koro. We took a picture of him holding the Bible with some students.

Madeline, Mariam, and Vieu with the mayor.

It was so difficult if not impossible to control the students because there were Dogon masks everywhere, arousing their curiosity.

The president promised the citizens of Koro that after electricity, they will have reliable running water and good roads. In Koro we have already learned that presidential decisions take time to become reality because the water crisis is turning from bad to worse every day after the visit. We take the donkey to school to wait at the tap for water, where every drop is preciously collected.

After a wearisome second period exam, a short but rescuing Easter break is allowing Viex to coach a street football club.

     

Thanks again for the many ways you all support us. We have felt your love; your encouragement and we acknowledge your vital partnership in this work, not just providing education but touching lives with love for eternity and enlarging the kingdom of God on earth. Together we will be able to say like Paul: “We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.” Col 1:28

Please Thank God for:

1. Health of teachers, students, and families
2. The second term exam
3. the land for the school
4. the progressive church building project
5. the safe presidential visit in Koro
6. the joyful wedding of Amesserou and Febe

And pray with us for:

1. Growth of the school in terms of students and quality teachers
2. Providence for building classes at the school land
3. Deep impact of the gospel in the lives of students
4. students to work hard and be successful in their education
5. water to be abundant for the population and the building project.

Blessings!!!

Your friend, Ibrahima