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Last month we were so blessed by two teams from Holmes County, Ohio. Both of them worked jointly together with another church to raise the funds to purchase a solar system robust enough to meet the current demands of the clinic and to have enough energy to keep it stable under heavy use, for instance, during our brigades. Not only did they provide the equipment but they shipped it down and to provided the labor and technicians to install it. It truly was an effort of love and we are so grateful. The Envirosol company sent down two technicians to get everything set up and running. The other team was from Crosspointe, Mennionite Church. They helped put up the panels and a handful of other miscellaneous things. Now instead of flipping on a lightswitch in the clinic only to find it dead or instead of pouring hundreds of gallons of diesel into a generator to keep the power on in the clinic, we have basically unlimited power. On a sunny day if you were to enter the clinic and listen carefully you can hear the faint hum of the batteries being topped off.

The generator is reserved as a backup power supply. During multiple days of clouds and rain sometimes we just need a few hours of generator to boost the batteries in the clinic and our houses, but generally speaking, we are delighted to have majorly reduced the generator time. It only runs briefly once a week to keep it working smoothly.

In addition, the guys did some major upgrades on the community’s clean water supply. They replaced some old plumbing, cleaned the water reservoir tank – which was no small feat, and installed a pressure pump which will greatly aid in the clinic as well as the community tap outside.

Having extra hands for children’s ministry was also a big help. The team helped with teaching Sunday school which that week included some races. Its always so encouraging to see bonds and connections form between our visitors and the kids. Sunday afternoon we continued pouring love into the local children through the children’s discipleship program. Each week the kids learn a new memory verse and we’ve been amazed at how seriously they are taking it. This coming Sunday is the 12th and final lesson, and we are going to have a memory verse competition to see who can remember the most verses. Of course, candy will be involved!

There is always work to do and always problems to solve. However, ministry is why we are here. At times it can be hard to keep our priorities alligned with God’s. It can feel overwhelming and at times like we are underqualified. Its in times like that when we really lean into God’s grace and learn to trust Him for each step forward. He is good!

Prayer points:

Our annual circulation permit for the airplane is due again. We started the process in plenty of time, but are still waiting on the government’s finalizing of the permit. We’ve been grounded for 3 weeks now. The other missionary family who lives has been on an extended furlough and will be arriving back in country next week. We are so exciterd to have them back but without the airplane’s paperwork completed I’m not sure how they can get back here. Please pray for the paperwork to be completed soon.

Pray for our village. For the adults, the kids and the babies. May the Lord send revival and a deeper sense of unity.

We love our community here, and feel like we are truly family. At the same time, we are so grateful to our community in the States who aids in the work that happens here. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for being a part of the communty here from afar. We would love to have you come and visit.