Visitors, friends and more

This month has started out well, The small kitten, boots, that Faith got while I was in the states is growing and full of life. He has decided that whatever moves is fair game for attacking.


One other person in our home who really enjoyed Boots was a young swiss woman who is looking at various children's therapy centers around North Africa to see which one God is leading her too. She spent about a week with us off and on, in and out. Keep her in your prayers.


Last night we had a surprise birthday party for one of Faith's friends who was turning 15, she wasn't going to have a party this year. She was surprised. The whole youth group was here, plus a few families, it was a good time of fellowship.

Firm Foundations update

Last week we had nine paying students, up from four the previous week. We have one primary school that is willing to host an "English Club" an a lead on another. The out look is improving, slowly but surely. This morning during our weekly business meeting, Phil and I to challenged each other to accentuate the positive in our prayers and thoughts about the business for the coming week.

Tarik, Tarik, Tarik

Warning, if you don't believe in answered prayer, skip this post.

Last month our church had an all night prayer session during the "Night of Power" the most significant night during Ramadan. Muslims throughout the world pray during this night seeking from God. Monica, my partner's wife prayed that God would reveal to her in a dream some direction for the coming year. And He did.

"Tarik, Tark, Tarik: you are chosen". What does it mean? Hmmm. Well Tarik is the name of the new neighborhood they have moved to. Tarik is the name of our apartment building, and Tarik is the name of the computer technician where we teach English. Coincidence? My feeling is if you are bold enough to ask God for direction, and He gives it to you, then you better follow through if you want want him to follow up!

What Comes Around Goes Around, and Around...

Ah, the joys of French influenced bureaucracy. Next time you grumble about government red tape, stop a moment and remember the following story:

Tim lives an hour and half south of us, where he and his wife direct a pregnancy crisis center (the Friends women's 2007 project). He came to town to pick up a car part and dropped by to have lunch with us. After some small talk about family, I asked about the project. He chuckled and mentioned that this week they had made remarkable progress.

The first submitted their paperwork to the local pasha in March. He was asked to return in June. In June he referred to the wali (regional authority). When he was able to make a appointment a few months later the Regional office refused to even look at his paperwork which he had so carefully collected. Instead, he was told that he needed other paperwork. Finally Tim consulted an attorney who is a believer. The attorney's advice? You have everything you need. wait a week and take the paperwork back in.

Next week, Tim returned with the same paperwork in a different colored folder. The wali was very pleased with the "new" paper work and told Tim he would send it on to the proper authority which was - you guessed it: the local pasha!

Lost Cousin = Golden Opportunity?

The other day while I (Bill) was visiting with Lauwrens (LOW-rinse), our local pastor he mentioned something in passing that hit me between the eyes. We were discussing how the International Church could participate more in the World Festival of Sacred Music held every June in our city. "I've been thinking about asking (an international drama ministry) to come during that time.

It so happens that my cousin, (whom I have not seen in 30 years), is a long time member of the European troupe! So I set the wheels in motion thru friends of friends to try to contact him to see if they might be available to visit this summer. Sorry it took so long, Aunt Naomi!

Firm Foundations

So far we have about 3-5 showing up for classes. This is far below we we need to keep going. Phil and Bill meet weekly to discuss business matters. Working with this school is strengthening our relationship with the owner, but we also need to meet expenses. We have tried to keep it going but we need positive cash flow soon or we may have to consider other options, like the ones mentioned below.

Moving?

We told the board before we left that we are open to the idea of relocating, but do not feel any indication to do so at the moment.. There are currently possibilities: Our worker friends in a Berber town of 40,000 have expressed a strong desire for us to join them. We told them we would consider it and will visit them several times during the coming year to sense God's leading. The second possibility includes a local move. Every three years the landlord can raise the rent, our three year mark is April. A raise in rent coupled with the dropping dollar may force us to find another place to live. We like the house we are in and don't want to move. However, there are other worker families that need to move soon because of rent, we might be able pool our money and rent separate floors of a villa.

Radio

Last week Bill attended a conference co-hosted by UNESCO to discuss community radio in Africa. There is a group of workers in our town who are investigating whether the time is ripe to open a station. At the moment, National law does not recognize a distinction between commercial and community radio, which is usually run on a nonprofit status with lower wattage. I am preparing a paper for this group outlining what I see as the basic factors involved in Radio: Audience, Transmission mode, cost and funding. If you are interested in these details email us, and I will send you the information.

Spiceman

Bill is developing a new friendship with one of Faith's tour hosts. Most of you who have been lucky enough to take the medina tour with Faith will remember the spice shop. Right before Bill left last year, he and the spice man began to connect. Faith has been back twice with our interns, and each time he had asked about Bill. When Bill went with Faith on her third visit, Spice man greeted
Bill like a long lost brother. Later, Bill went back by himself and spent about two hours with spice man. Since two of Bill's friends have emigrated this past year, Bill is very excited about this new friendship!