News from the Kariuki family in Chad
April 2008
Pray for the peace of Chad…. On Feb. 2nd, rebel troops attacked N’Djamena, our capital city, with the intent of overthrowing the president. There was heavy fighting in the city for several days, until the government forces repelled them, peace was restored, and rebel troops left the city. Many lives were lost, properties damaged by the fighting and looting, and thousands fled the city. In our town of Sarh, 560 km (330 miles) away from N’Djamena, it remained peaceful, although tense. Our prayer and our cry throughout this time has been for our Chadian brothers and sisters, that peace would be restored and that this nation would prosper and experience the fullness of the Lord’s blessings. We pray for healing and restoration for those wounded, those traumatized by the fighting, those who mourn the loss of loved ones, and those who fled their homes in search of safer places.
At the time that the fighting erupted in N’Djamena, we had two visiting YWAM teams, totaling 22 people. Their sending bases were able to organize an air evacuation by MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship). We and our long term staff chose to stay in Chad but were prepared to leave if the situation escalated and spread southward. Although a long term resolution to the conflict has yet to be reached, the violence was short lived and didn’t reach our town, for which we are thankful. More than ever, we are aware that we cannot take for granted the time that the Lord has given us here in Chad, and are determined to use it to the fullest to accomplish what we can in His Kingdom.
Our 6th Discipleship Training School held in Chad started off on Feb. 3rd and has 9 students. This year we are blessed with a dynamic group on fire for the Lord, hungry for more of God and full of passion to share him. This past weekend, on their day “off” from school, the students were evangelizing on the street, and out of those who received the Lord, 10 have committed to be coming to a weekly Bible Study. Please pray for Hervé, Naomi, and Moses as they lead the students.
On the home front….we are happy to be settled back into life here in Chad and so glad to be together as a family after our many travels and separations last year! Katelyn is now 5 months old (where does the time go?!) and a very cheerful little girl who has lots of smiles for her big brothers and sister, and pretty much anyone else who tries to entertain her. Marianna just turned two, and is talking lots, and still trying to keep up with those big brothers. She’s now potty trained and we’re thrilled about that! Zachary is now four and loves riding “his” bike around now that Josh has outgrown it and it’s been fitted with new training wheels. He’s learning his letters, loves asking questions and trying to figure out how things work. Joshua is looking forward to turning six in July, and is flying through his Kindergarten curriculum. He is reading very well and loves books, racing cars and playing football (soccer.) One challenge we’ve had this year is that our town was without electricity from the end of December to mid-March. We are VERY grateful power has been restored; our kids (and us!) prayed quite a lot for the mechanics who were repairing the town’s generator!
We have been blessed by Andee, a young lady who has come as mission nanny (www.missionnannies.com) to help Jo with the children. Her primary responsibility is home schooling Josh, as well as doing a few preschool things with Zack, but she chips in wherever an extra hand is needed. Andee arrived in January and is staying at least through June. She has freed up Jo’s time to be able to begin catching up on some of the YWAM admin, and also be able to get out a bit – with 2 preschoolers, a baby and a five year old in the house, that’s greatly appreciated!!
- For peace, healing and restoration in Chad after the fighting.
- For God to continue to work in the Discipleship Training School, and for the students as they prepare for outreach (May and June)
- For Joshua who has been having some problems with asthma in this dry and dusty season. We are trusting for his complete healing.
- For us as a family, for our peace and security to be in the Lord, the ROCK who is solid. Also for rest and refreshment after these last few months that have been quite stressful.
- For a new car, our tough roads old have worn out the '91 Toyota 4 Runner';-)
We are so thankful to be part of what God is doing here in Chad. Thank you to each of you who have prayed for us, given to us, and encouraged us in the work here. We love and appreciate you!
Blessings,
Moses, Jo and family
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