tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283511682024-03-19T01:18:20.706-07:00Burkina OrphansRuth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-11640719356517923212019-04-24T06:40:00.001-07:002019-04-24T06:40:47.994-07:00So thankful for a secondary school in Kimini!<style type="text/css">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional African Dancing</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">We are so thankful to the Lord that we were able to be in the village to celebrate the official opening of our secondary school.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Although this type of ceremony is not extremely important to us, it is very important to our local friends.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They planned and prepared well and the entire village celebrated the fact that their children can now stay in the village and continue their secondary school education.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New School Books</td></tr>
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God has blessed us with special gifts from special people and with these funds we have bought new desks, school books, desks and chairs for our teachers. . . everything needed to equip our classrooms.<span class="s1"></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New desks - happy children!</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">This year we are running 7th and 8th grade classes and in the Fall, we will add the 9th grade. We will add one grade each year until we have a complete school through the 13th grade.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The final phase of our school project, a four classroom building, is well underway.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This building will hold grades 10, 11, 12, and 13. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<br />Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-6420517804966237532019-01-04T11:09:00.002-08:002019-01-04T11:09:47.042-08:00Anticipation--
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch time at the orphanage!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">International adoption is a long process with many curves along the way, long and steep hills to climb, rivers to forge, and deep valleys to cross through.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">It requires tedious paperwork to be completed and then more paperwork that needs to be re-done.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">It is waiting and hoping for news. . . but all you hear is silence because there is no news to report.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">After a long wait for a referral. . . . another long waiting time occurs while the dossier is studied, passed through numerous offices, papers are signed and approved. . . and then when you feel that you cannot wait another day. . . yet another time of waiting occurs until a court date is set.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">But, finally, the parents make the trip to pick up their long awaited for child.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And incredible JOY arrives as Mama and Daddy and Child meet for the first time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There are tears of joy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There are sweet smiles.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sometimes there is a little fear on the face of the little one as well as in the hearts of the mama and daddy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But, within minutes of time, hearts melt and hugs and tears of joy are shared.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">This sweet little 3 1/2 year old boy has only known an orphanage for his home.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">His orphanage is <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their new son!</td></tr>
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l</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">ovingly maintained.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">It is bright and cheery.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">It is very clean and the children are well cared for and healthy.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">BUT, it is not a family.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">It is an institution.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">And, every child has the right to grow up in a family, surrounded by parents, siblings and extended family who will love and nurture him or her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: center;">We give thanks and praise to God who led this family to adopt from Burkina Faso!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: center;">Waiting at home for their new little brother are two older brothers, ages 4 and 6 years old. </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: center;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have been thinking and praying about international adoption, please contact me via FB Messenger or contact Kim at kim@allblessings.org for information on how to start your journey</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">We would love to walk through this journey with you. There may be tears along the way but there is great joy and rejoicing at the end of the journey!</span></div>
<br />Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-31518647961943170372018-11-24T10:41:00.000-08:002018-11-24T10:41:34.626-08:00Double Dedication<style type="text/css">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj2gqt5_d-k2sHIL6tw_VrMW3Iae3I32uCAtqWJNSHDnQs6X8il81TjadvCDOuYdK73SW58GPrNQakAqJgbTOe6N-0WPxbl-0bsocpF35z7f0rKBZ7pvkwSNBViBWQCPGk8CY/s1600/LETF+Church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj2gqt5_d-k2sHIL6tw_VrMW3Iae3I32uCAtqWJNSHDnQs6X8il81TjadvCDOuYdK73SW58GPrNQakAqJgbTOe6N-0WPxbl-0bsocpF35z7f0rKBZ7pvkwSNBViBWQCPGk8CY/s320/LETF+Church.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Today we were able to participate in the dedication ceremony of a new church building and </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">a new well in one of our neighboring villages.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Many of the village leaders as well as the chief of the village were in attendance.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were pastors from near and far a</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">nd the local believers were all present.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The church was started in 2011.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The believers met under a mango tree and then in 2013 they built a small mud brick building as their place of worship.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In 2016 they had to make major repairs to this building because it was in danger of falling down.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">will serve them for many, many years to come.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There was a double celebration today because the village also received a new well with a huge source of water beneath it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The well is located on the church property but it will be open to the entire village to use. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The well provides natural water to the thirsty and the church brings the Living Water to thirsty souls.</span></span></div>
<br />Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-426013608036510352018-08-20T17:41:00.000-07:002018-08-20T17:41:52.078-07:00Mobility
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr3HrdHdR3g6GfIMKMpvCyZP9M7GxnNZZReUX6HtBpllONRRzuOzJ-0pP6YGMjl-myvyFOT9UZxNnVlXjmQOkXi7YUPj1jsMvb9WEICvTdygtDHRtcsUyljJv1h7EsdkZp6uT/s1600/Seydou+New+Bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr3HrdHdR3g6GfIMKMpvCyZP9M7GxnNZZReUX6HtBpllONRRzuOzJ-0pP6YGMjl-myvyFOT9UZxNnVlXjmQOkXi7YUPj1jsMvb9WEICvTdygtDHRtcsUyljJv1h7EsdkZp6uT/s320/Seydou+New+Bike.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">In our fast-paced sophisticated society we often take our mobility for granted.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Whether our means of transportation is motorcycle, car, truck, bus, train or plane we can easily get to where we are needing to go in a fairly painless fashion.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">This is not so for many handicapped people here in Burkina.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There are very few paved roads, there are no sidewalks, there are very few ramps providing handicap accessibility into schools, businesses, and offices buildings.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">This young man is Seydou.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He suffers from the effects of polio which he contracted as a baby.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Seydou is paralyzed from the waist down. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">This new handicap bicycle will allow Seydou to continue to go to school.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He is entering the 11th grade this year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He is an excellent student who consistently ranks in the top 5 of his class.</span></span></div>
<br />Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-35306544461942040652018-08-01T05:02:00.000-07:002018-08-01T05:02:25.847-07:00First Christian in our region--
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS_721DR4p8pvrzoDJgyGoQ-Be8TB2ld6pSCzmoBYSqd0RtdFLcAtGhsHnCi2tYuqX-i_fxrrH2fU4PqrwmwVjtNFa2qVHgkRD2XPVp7HpkoLEqMqDs17deLSNlIg93cq8WpV/s1600/John+Paul.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS_721DR4p8pvrzoDJgyGoQ-Be8TB2ld6pSCzmoBYSqd0RtdFLcAtGhsHnCi2tYuqX-i_fxrrH2fU4PqrwmwVjtNFa2qVHgkRD2XPVp7HpkoLEqMqDs17deLSNlIg93cq8WpV/s320/John+Paul.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">This week we had the privilege of meeting the man who was the first Christian in our region.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">His name is John Paul and he lives in a village 35 kilometers from us.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">He is a deacon in his church.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">John Paul grew up in a small village outside of Bobo.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">When he was still a teenager, his older brother worked as a guard for a missionary family in Bobo.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">From time to time, the missionary would take his guard to the village to visit his family.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">During these visits the older brother and the missionary started telling stories about Jesus.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Through these stories, John Paul made a decision to follow Jesus.</span><span class="s1"></span></div>
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<span class="s1">John Paul grew up, married, and as his family grew he found that he was needing to go farther and farther away in order to find good fields to plant and to feed his family.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So, in 1997 he and his wife decided to move their family to a very isolated region where the soil was rich and abundant.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And, they settled their family and raised their 10 children there.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">When John Paul relocated his family, the nearest church was 70 kilometers away from their humble home.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He searched for other believers in his village but did not find any.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>John Paul started inviting his neighbors to prayer meetings and they met under a tree to read the Bible together and to pray.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After 5 years of holding church under a tree, a young pastor was sent to his village to continue the ministry of building the church.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Today there are an average of 100 adults who attend this village church and the children number 50 or more.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There have been 30+ believers baptized!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">John Paul says “Choosing to serve God is the best choice that I ever made.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My life has been full and blessed”!</span></div>
<br />Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-19907523571089704632018-06-10T14:27:00.002-07:002018-06-10T14:27:16.286-07:00Ouch!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSfN2AFVazXUZGYxkeAGGq9V4W5P7T0SnVkNSbeG9vswqDMakXnGlnHtYFdV5e1w9Ih-kMMb-lDpm6Cw-Hn3X09cIKPB5l4_M3JaB6CTy_f7ZGevUO5ZsG6682aR0n3-YLM70/s1600/Truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSfN2AFVazXUZGYxkeAGGq9V4W5P7T0SnVkNSbeG9vswqDMakXnGlnHtYFdV5e1w9Ih-kMMb-lDpm6Cw-Hn3X09cIKPB5l4_M3JaB6CTy_f7ZGevUO5ZsG6682aR0n3-YLM70/s320/Truck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So. . . it was a routine trip to the airport for an </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">early check-in.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">All went well and within 30</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">minutes we were returning to the very back of the parking lot where we usually park.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(We park there so that other cars do not park too close to us.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But. . . while we were still far away. . . we could see a grey Mercedes resting in a very suspicious way, right behind our truck, and blocking the passage. (Right in front of our truck was a wall.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What we learned from the parking attendants is that the Mercedes rolled across two rows of parking spaces and stopped after hitting the back of our truck.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fast forward 3 hours of waiting in temperatures of 100+ and brilliant sunshine until, finally, the owner of the car returned and the police arrived. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our bumper is only slightly dented, but the Mercedes did not fare so well.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> After exchanging contact information,</span> we shock hands, he moved his car, and we were on our way home!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only in Africa!</span></div>
<br />Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-53192091968464859352018-06-05T00:32:00.000-07:002018-06-05T00:32:33.260-07:00Forever Families--<style type="text/css">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ephesians 1:4-6</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">Adoption comes from the very heart of our Father God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Adoption into our Father's family came at the great cost of the suffering and death of God's own son, Jesus. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">International adoption is not for the faint of heart, but, for those who persevere, for those who are called to step out of their comfort zone, for those who are willing to face the fears of the unknown, to step out of the boat, so to speak-- God has children in Burkina who are waiting for that first embrace from their mother and father.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is what adoption is all about.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is the moment that parents and child look forward to, not even really knowing what it will look like or what it will feel like. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">This month Linda and I had the privilege of sending two more precious children home to their Forever Families. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />This is Ibra with his Mama and Papa.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ibra has experienced more pain and loss in his young life than most of us experience in a lifetime.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He has waited, not daring to believe that a family really wanted him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But, today, Ibra’s life has changed and he has the hope, love, nurturing, and guidance that a Forever Family provides.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">This is Anselme meeting his parents for the first time.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: small;">Anselme is 6 years old, full of life, full of energy, and anxious to meet his 3 siblings waiting for him at home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3glicG7NuO7aMoz3Zk6bO_DIoySGQj1kI2gMsHcYh1DbAelzBA9FupazGz-oAbLjp_LrUl57xkMRwIEf5sDMnSoK1tCdkj6XUfjj05oPFHs0ztM9DOUrhr9z9mTD5GRhD89K/s1600/Mama+et+Anselme.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3glicG7NuO7aMoz3Zk6bO_DIoySGQj1kI2gMsHcYh1DbAelzBA9FupazGz-oAbLjp_LrUl57xkMRwIEf5sDMnSoK1tCdkj6XUfjj05oPFHs0ztM9DOUrhr9z9mTD5GRhD89K/s320/Mama+et+Anselme.JPG" width="240" /></a><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
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Our God is so good!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He loves the children of Burkina and He loves to place them in Forever Families.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you feel that the Lord is calling you to adopt a special needs child, please contact me or contact Kim at <a href="mailto:kim@allblessings.org"><span class="s2">kim@allblessings.org</span></a> – All Blessing, Intl.</div>
<br />Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-78719460863387506082017-10-20T09:17:00.000-07:002017-10-20T09:17:00.700-07:00Secondary School for Kimini - Phase One - Completed <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
is celebration time! This is SO exciting! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
year. . . . our 7<sup>th</sup> graders no longer have to walk 7 or 8
miles to attend school!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
past year a 4-classroom school building was completed in Kimini and
this is our first 7<sup>th</sup> grade class! Teachers have been
sent to teach and the government will be paying our teachers'
salaries. </span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDxPY33u3hQkXUW2dW129OQnRShBu0h1NUGJiDp95515u8vW3UKgqXpVMD8G1zYG6UBP-EkIdER-LJ_JAloavaGA6KH6D2OYBT3H9XPiKmX2_ZegqlK-onCu4i77Yl4o0BZ4D/s1600/Class+Rez.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDxPY33u3hQkXUW2dW129OQnRShBu0h1NUGJiDp95515u8vW3UKgqXpVMD8G1zYG6UBP-EkIdER-LJ_JAloavaGA6KH6D2OYBT3H9XPiKmX2_ZegqlK-onCu4i77Yl4o0BZ4D/s320/Class+Rez.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7th Grade Class</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
are only 2 middle schools in our region. In the past most children
who passed 6<sup>th</sup> grade were not sent on to school because
they had to be sent as far as 20 miles away to attend 7<sup>th</sup>
grade. This year, there are forty-six 7<sup>th</sup> graders who
have come from miles away and are now living in Kimini. Our Kimini
fathers held village meetings asking families to take these students
in and each one of them has a family to care for them and watch over
them while they continue their education. In total, there are 89
students in our 7<sup>th</sup> grade class! (Believe it or not, this is a small class in that there are 100+ students in most classrooms).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
village has already submitted a request to the government for
teachers for the 8<sup>th</sup> and 9<sup>th</sup> grades for next
year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
building is phase one of a three phase project. Phase two will be to
build a second 4-classroom building to house 11<sup>th</sup>, 12<sup>th</sup>,
and 13<sup>th</sup> grades. Phase three will be to build an
administration building for office space and storage space for the
director and teachers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our national pastor, Bernard, is building relationship with the new students and has already found 8 students who are Christians. In addition to our students learning French, Math, Science and History, Bernard will be forming a youth Bible study for all of the students who have a desire to learn more about Jesus!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYZ1TRTBGi2zFLzPxWDD-ByQjkykKI0eyE_U3RBmq6WY3I8R8yg0kbPs4TvgCgBxc-wb-Fdy1Luy02vBY3ga0ZdPr1nY7UPvMZCvM7kBSWD7sJIhi7jyr8v7nZTskPJcSJOjh/s1600/Math+Teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYZ1TRTBGi2zFLzPxWDD-ByQjkykKI0eyE_U3RBmq6WY3I8R8yg0kbPs4TvgCgBxc-wb-Fdy1Luy02vBY3ga0ZdPr1nY7UPvMZCvM7kBSWD7sJIhi7jyr8v7nZTskPJcSJOjh/s320/Math+Teacher.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Math Class</td></tr>
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Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-3219233887346463482017-05-17T01:27:00.000-07:002017-05-17T01:27:32.436-07:00A Growing Village Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtcRn9w7QiDq9jXJvSU5HVolXvxHvtVol4V48sm1-eExnIyf14FfLIRYrohr6tWlX2zxWrvBDBg9Jr4kYbCBT4JbJHo8RqY525uueWPybcvl_F0reWG0YwNpTkC8_LQlCHoNb/s1600/Bernard+et+Dorcas+Diplomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtcRn9w7QiDq9jXJvSU5HVolXvxHvtVol4V48sm1-eExnIyf14FfLIRYrohr6tWlX2zxWrvBDBg9Jr4kYbCBT4JbJHo8RqY525uueWPybcvl_F0reWG0YwNpTkC8_LQlCHoNb/s320/Bernard+et+Dorcas+Diplomas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For
two years, we have waited for our new pastor and his wife to complete
a 4-year Bible School program and graduate. Each year during the
summer vacation / planting time, Bernard and his wife lived in our
village, met with the believers, built relationships, and planted
fields of peanuts and beans.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On
May 27<sup>th</sup>, a graduation ceremony was held and they both
graduated with their diplomas. And, the following week, they moved
all of their belongs into their newly built house in the village. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Between
Bernard's work and the work of Pastor Joel, the church is growing
stronger. There are still only a few believers in our village but 12
to 15 believers are coming from neighboring villages, sometimes 10
miles or more away to worship with us. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We
praise God for what he is doing in our village. He is drawing the
hearts of the people to Himself and opening the doors of evangelism
in our surrounding villages and region! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqUP3LwGNnG_3CcscMogZ9KahdASXRbhvYDoTSyVRuHBvLYfcZB-aFNvsCddOG6ewqpZSJHjcK44q825yUlkVvuIUejG_j0A7eUCyP8VtWDCKsDpPqMHjDxvGOEYnMw1K1Ov5/s1600/Kimini+Church+Bldg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqUP3LwGNnG_3CcscMogZ9KahdASXRbhvYDoTSyVRuHBvLYfcZB-aFNvsCddOG6ewqpZSJHjcK44q825yUlkVvuIUejG_j0A7eUCyP8VtWDCKsDpPqMHjDxvGOEYnMw1K1Ov5/s320/Kimini+Church+Bldg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-73268807711222642592017-05-11T09:30:00.001-07:002017-05-11T09:30:46.065-07:00Milk Program<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our Milk Program continues to provide for babies in need. Babies come to us from several surrounding villages, sometimes as far
as 25 miles away.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvpPKdHKiOj3RsRLTmdk_Y2PiwgEHb3J_8ICNG3GgxpNPCdBaOGFGvtCTDxO9cA0Hq_FiZMq5rc05Ttx5RTjMuWTPzS4YXieAtR16P9V_NhuMd2RnwC-WR3gehjcAr7s8rJaw/s1600/Baby+weighing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvpPKdHKiOj3RsRLTmdk_Y2PiwgEHb3J_8ICNG3GgxpNPCdBaOGFGvtCTDxO9cA0Hq_FiZMq5rc05Ttx5RTjMuWTPzS4YXieAtR16P9V_NhuMd2RnwC-WR3gehjcAr7s8rJaw/s320/Baby+weighing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby weighing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
need for help may be because mama has died and grandmother is the one caring for the baby. Or, it can be a case where mama is not in good
health and is not producing enough milk to sustain her baby. Another
need is for twins or even triplets and the mama just cannot feed all
of her babies.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmylNNID60DYSaPC9lVeMpbLdWTLTvpaMhI2o12CJA-EcNWghCyNplNiAJ2omXjKmFf1Hrz3gg8CAdxjEqdawR51OAUCpiFmU5caR20TtxAaqNsromk89ZX1yfjSxMm4Pxvp4N/s1600/Sadia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmylNNID60DYSaPC9lVeMpbLdWTLTvpaMhI2o12CJA-EcNWghCyNplNiAJ2omXjKmFf1Hrz3gg8CAdxjEqdawR51OAUCpiFmU5caR20TtxAaqNsromk89ZX1yfjSxMm4Pxvp4N/s320/Sadia.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Sadia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">This
past week we were presented with another need of a little 16 month
old who is severely malnourished and weighs only 12 pounds. Because
there are many children in the family and because it is the beginning
of the planting season, the father could not allow his wife to leave
the village and go to the malnourished center. But, thanks to the
Milk Program we were able to provide an enriched baby cereal for the
mother to feed her baby. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWFEcyjJvvBJOLkN5zmfjcxZVSWFDmQdWRmDinvsf7CPbVDaLTVIbnZ71qiG6gqT60foUHoYGmZue7YQ0jqonyoKcIDAeyUl01QKfhKmTVLRIg73755Y4CznrkdCJkhRZSi8F/s1600/Grandmother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWFEcyjJvvBJOLkN5zmfjcxZVSWFDmQdWRmDinvsf7CPbVDaLTVIbnZ71qiG6gqT60foUHoYGmZue7YQ0jqonyoKcIDAeyUl01QKfhKmTVLRIg73755Y4CznrkdCJkhRZSi8F/s320/Grandmother.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandmother caring for her granddaughter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are so thankful for each one of you who contribute to the milk program and we are thankful to the Lord for the privilege that it is to be here and to be able to help these babies. </span></div>
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</style>Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-55372291666031641142017-04-17T02:46:00.002-07:002017-04-17T02:46:49.091-07:00A Forever Family for Charlie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3V-EEbEWsBYMdTbTw_OgUxsF2SJPqQaAW0TiVELaSpZfplmUEB_2E1G1IVaoVXe8LipP1xdMWucy1Zr9zgm1Lak90cq87Di6tvZyKPu_Z6MXIjZ_MLukNidycAwdXSGkMcrw/s1600/Dorsey+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3V-EEbEWsBYMdTbTw_OgUxsF2SJPqQaAW0TiVELaSpZfplmUEB_2E1G1IVaoVXe8LipP1xdMWucy1Zr9zgm1Lak90cq87Di6tvZyKPu_Z6MXIjZ_MLukNidycAwdXSGkMcrw/s320/Dorsey+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once
again, Linda and I have had the wonderful privilege to introduce a
beautiful family to their new son. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charlie
has waited in an orphanage for many years but his years of waiting
are over! He is now a member in full standing of a precious
American family. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although
Charlie cannot hear with his ears, his heart heard and felt the love
radiating from his mother and father from the first day that they
met. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charlie
is now in his forever home, meeting and getting acquainted with his
three brothers, two older and one younger.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adoption
is all about FAMILY. Charlie has been chosen and adopted into this family, with the full rights of a son, just as God has chosen us and adopted us into His family, with the full rights of His son or daughter! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-46026498563569068152017-04-10T01:08:00.000-07:002017-04-10T01:08:00.690-07:00Doing Church in Kimini<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our local Pastor graduates from Bible school on April 29</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
We are planning a celebration to congratulate him and welcome him
and his family to Kimini on a full-time basis.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
his absence Pastor Joel has traveled to Kimini each week to hold a
mid-week prayer service for the believers and he has sent one of the
leaders of his church each Sunday to hold a service. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On
Sunday mornings the church has been running between 15 and 20 people. There are two young men in the church who have started a children's church in the
pavilion in our courtyard.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
the picture below a young boy is reading a child appropriate Bible
given to us by Operation Christmas Child!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeqdJ3yKDxT3TaO5SBqHZ8xtWPStoBcvAFtuznb0S7fK8zEvPYgb-N5PtegKgJfKHbLHuK2uv6zuaKNqKLfa9pZPpvNlnK-Nfc46qBCdcvN9B5Wk4hhZoidofAEovLZKUe-Zs/s1600/Boy+Reading+Bible+Stories.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeqdJ3yKDxT3TaO5SBqHZ8xtWPStoBcvAFtuznb0S7fK8zEvPYgb-N5PtegKgJfKHbLHuK2uv6zuaKNqKLfa9pZPpvNlnK-Nfc46qBCdcvN9B5Wk4hhZoidofAEovLZKUe-Zs/s320/Boy+Reading+Bible+Stories.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcJOUnL0Gi80akGHOxEoUUwT4i9dNlukIes5e679SuZQ25nlK6DineFr9Dtz2HvLttfxDWmorgRmyGv23OVrgwwEFRT_4CSV4ksztUJScjfD6QgtQk8Y9BsMVp99ZhnKBex89/s1600/Children%2527s+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcJOUnL0Gi80akGHOxEoUUwT4i9dNlukIes5e679SuZQ25nlK6DineFr9Dtz2HvLttfxDWmorgRmyGv23OVrgwwEFRT_4CSV4ksztUJScjfD6QgtQk8Y9BsMVp99ZhnKBex89/s320/Children%2527s+church.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children's Church in the village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-3336535081833535562017-01-23T08:46:00.000-08:002017-01-23T08:46:12.596-08:00Out of Small Beginnings, God does great things!<div class="p1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFhTME288Kg76Fm9cGy8ffsfZGu4rEQYBX4dVWurp7IrAHYNNyVRI1ObjgBx3za7TrSdWqB7dCr7xqNRJpNI5WSsY75Rd1T0PStlQQureTk-B0rovjuh5fkKAEEXI5BkvN7h5/s1600/Haystack+Memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFhTME288Kg76Fm9cGy8ffsfZGu4rEQYBX4dVWurp7IrAHYNNyVRI1ObjgBx3za7TrSdWqB7dCr7xqNRJpNI5WSsY75Rd1T0PStlQQureTk-B0rovjuh5fkKAEEXI5BkvN7h5/s320/Haystack+Memorial.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Our amazing God gave us an unexpected gift of a trip to visit Linda’s home and friends in Adams, MA this week. We have been able to connect with many friends and also had opportunities to personally say ‘thank you’ to many of our sponsors and donors. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: small;">One event during our week was a visit to the Haystack Monument at Williams College in Williamsburg, MA. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: small;">The story behind the monument is that in 1806, five Williams College students gathered together for a prayer meeting. It started raining so they moved under a haystack to continue their prayer time.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: small;">Out of this group of 5 students the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) was formed and in 1812 they sent their first missionaries to India. During the 19th century the mission sent missionaries to China, Hawaii, and many nations in southeast Asia, establishing hospitals and schools, translating the Bible into local dialects, and establishing churches. Out of this mission, thousands of missionaries were sent to Asia. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-size: small;">This Haystack Prayer Meeting is viewed by many scholars as the seed planting event for the development of Protestant missions in the subsequent decades and century.</span></div>
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</style>Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-54831228077366331102016-12-07T00:31:00.000-08:002016-12-07T00:31:39.701-08:00Another Forever Family Returns Home<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
past week Linda and I had the wonderful privilege of hosting a new
adoptive family and introducing them to their little girl!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">International
adoption is a long and rough road. It is not for the faint of heart, but, for those families with a call of God on their hearts to adopt,
it is a joyous journey. There are great highs and there are deep
lows but by staying focused on the prize at the end of the journey,
the Lord helps each family through the process.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
once was a little girl with a very sad history but her story is now
being rewritten by love, affection, joyous interaction, and
acceptance.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
little girl who was growing up in an orphanage now has parents, an
older sister, and a slightly younger brother to love! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
are rejoicing today because God has placed another of His little ones
in a loving family!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1ESA-KRNq1-bpSQJvwSguHdsmKtMiSf4fkACoCismvnW25av91TsMdyb6Klk1uzi-79BZz3mPUq-xeU3zGM4tNlKeupwpcbLsrO6wDR56FQQzGwOQ5uXOejFIXQMzePNrRJJ/s1600/Murray+Family+Rez+8.26.41+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1ESA-KRNq1-bpSQJvwSguHdsmKtMiSf4fkACoCismvnW25av91TsMdyb6Klk1uzi-79BZz3mPUq-xeU3zGM4tNlKeupwpcbLsrO6wDR56FQQzGwOQ5uXOejFIXQMzePNrRJJ/s320/Murray+Family+Rez+8.26.41+AM.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-18555445329379600442016-10-21T05:58:00.002-07:002016-10-21T05:58:35.626-07:00Help for a young boy named Barto<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
pastor from a neighboring village brought a father and his son to our
door asking for help. Barto is 18 yrs old and he is paralyzed from
the waist down. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
a young boy, Barto was healthy and attended school. But, as a result
of an undiagnosed illness and several days of high fever, Barto's
health deteriorated to where he lost the use of his legs. He has
also lost most of the use of his arms and hands.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barto
is a bright boy but he comes from a very isolated village with no
medical care available, no social services available to help
families, and a family without the resources to find help for their
son. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have introduced some very basic physical therapy to the family to
help Barto regain the use of his hands and arms. And, we are
searching for a handicap center where he can learn a trade to help
support himself and even help to support his family.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please
pray for us as we try to find ways to help this boy and his family!</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZI4s4cqLNatZXGV5gQ-E-vqZzOo0Qas8FfRKPRjeJ5YXrpuY5LCd52ojuhpwzqHLi5Eey_VicfARDM1aZtO_Cqg1Bvp0djl3EHeLoiv8vZkbv5v2ceGLbljeaYuKK6PRYgKY/s1600/Tamini%252C+Barto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZI4s4cqLNatZXGV5gQ-E-vqZzOo0Qas8FfRKPRjeJ5YXrpuY5LCd52ojuhpwzqHLi5Eey_VicfARDM1aZtO_Cqg1Bvp0djl3EHeLoiv8vZkbv5v2ceGLbljeaYuKK6PRYgKY/s320/Tamini%252C+Barto.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-18818427148876028652016-10-21T05:33:00.000-07:002016-10-21T05:33:56.163-07:00Fighting for life--<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBBN_SaizLiKXGJIyV3qTOV_1OoJOw4jC9XfY6y1Z74O4uon8JuIeyO2F7L6AMWsGFBNekyerBNYg-v9mKuWPzyvsTlC0mxUZdC08dCLNrwk1yJ_lMwdmLPcnvdRZU-zUz7b-/s1600/Fousseny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBBN_SaizLiKXGJIyV3qTOV_1OoJOw4jC9XfY6y1Z74O4uon8JuIeyO2F7L6AMWsGFBNekyerBNYg-v9mKuWPzyvsTlC0mxUZdC08dCLNrwk1yJ_lMwdmLPcnvdRZU-zUz7b-/s320/Fousseny.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today
we received a call from the hospital asking for help with a tiny
little newborn named Fousseny. Fousseny is a two and half month old
twin. His brother died shortly after the twins were born.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At
two and half months old, Fousseny weighs only 700 grams (about 1 ½
pounds). Fousseny and his mama recently spent 2 weeks in the
hospital in the city and when they returned to the village Fousseny
weighed a little over 3 pounds. But, in the last three weeks he has
lost all of the weight that he had gained while in the hospital.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
teaching Fousseny's mama how to prepare the formula, how to clean and
sterilize the bottles, and especially to use only pure water, we
enrolled him in our village milk program.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mama
will bring Fousseny to our house each week to be weighed and she will
be given more milk as she needs it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Please
pray with us that Fousseny will thrive and very quickly regain the
weight that he has lost!</span></span></div>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-4185966283809444422016-10-14T03:48:00.003-07:002016-10-14T03:48:34.413-07:00<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
recently had the opportunity to do our 'back-to-school' sponsorship
distribution in our village and 5 other surrounding villages. School
starts late here, usually not until around the 1<sup>st</sup> of
October. But, back-to-school excitement for returning students and
nervousness for new students is an international occurrence and we
saw and felt these emotions in each of our students here.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
distribution included a new pack pack for each child, a reading and a math textbook, notebooks, pens, colored pencils, chalk,
math sets (protractor, ruler, etc.), a 100 pound bag of rice for the
family, and soap. Some of our children also received special gifts
that some of our wonderful sponsors had sent for their children.
Some of those gifts were special things like a new bike, a new outfit
of clothing, a solar lamp, etc.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
cannot say 'thank you' loud enough for our outstanding Sheltering
Wings sponsors. I hope that you realize the amazing part that you
are playing in your sponsored child's life. You are giving them the
encouragement to do their best in school and therefore a hope for the
future.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZEl4pArndBeK38ssiem2sFX5U7dOrHFG1LvOWlmzK-MJ7DId0yCJF9PBmaorox92l6OjkVmQ2UjlUC5eEG9wcBjbneoHLG-T7gVzXnccUA-HecPO654fW7XTGeUR8aruK1b0/s1600/Kone%252C+Iliassou+7.33.12+PM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZEl4pArndBeK38ssiem2sFX5U7dOrHFG1LvOWlmzK-MJ7DId0yCJF9PBmaorox92l6OjkVmQ2UjlUC5eEG9wcBjbneoHLG-T7gVzXnccUA-HecPO654fW7XTGeUR8aruK1b0/s320/Kone%252C+Iliassou+7.33.12+PM.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuIj7q8bCRCwpUZMDgxDBYV6qQC1RKOzWANDdvY-I6o4nGkCJ3N-rg9ToPEkjmOqItZzpoLjClypH34m_NJ17n71_sd660T2QPJi9yZyDO7rBkeFtMPQ4Gc4523Qsibep3R1t/s1600/Awa+Sidebe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuIj7q8bCRCwpUZMDgxDBYV6qQC1RKOzWANDdvY-I6o4nGkCJ3N-rg9ToPEkjmOqItZzpoLjClypH34m_NJ17n71_sd660T2QPJi9yZyDO7rBkeFtMPQ4Gc4523Qsibep3R1t/s320/Awa+Sidebe.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Your
children are ready to start school! Thank you!</span></span></div>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-27640291641664810042016-09-15T04:15:00.000-07:002016-09-15T04:15:33.130-07:00Church on the move--<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">God is blessing our
little church!. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just this past week, two women stopped by
our house to visit. Our Bible and daily devotional book were laying
on our table. After talking just a little while, one of the women
told me that she was a Christian. We continued to talk and then she
shared that she has been a believer for several years. She first
made a decision to follow Christ when she was living in a neighboring city. Now
she is married to an unbelieving man who will not allow
her to attend church. The friend who came with her is in the same
situation.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Please pray for these
precious believers and particularly pray for their husbands to allow
them to gather and worship with the other believers.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Our student pastor, his
wife, and two of their three children are in the village for
the summer </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">vacation. While we were
away, a pastor friend in a neighboring town contracted with a
builder to have a house built for our pastor. The family is now nicely
settled into their new home. </span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KhHYk51u3CP8s9G5fcVnug3cYHif4n9lxt8-krS0WXnp5Eml4uZSv2FK7o6sYPkTufRxGTLZV6RMO63UwlKagpkgMbmUkjlRddHO6Sr6qIdTjcGUgozi447ok_Q1VikAq6AJ/s1600/New+house+Rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KhHYk51u3CP8s9G5fcVnug3cYHif4n9lxt8-krS0WXnp5Eml4uZSv2FK7o6sYPkTufRxGTLZV6RMO63UwlKagpkgMbmUkjlRddHO6Sr6qIdTjcGUgozi447ok_Q1VikAq6AJ/s320/New+house+Rez.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our pastor will be leaving the village in November to return to Bible School for his final year. We are looking forward to next May when he graduates and moves his family permanently to the village!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Through gifts from generous friends, we were able to purchase a new motorcycle for our village pastor. Thank you so much!</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWkyYRAmDErnSAXFrcNYO9A6vhBi855-dQhEvJOHBvAI4T4URe_kwo1K-0KtbeIpAVDKCwRJdqxfm8ehOa4Xctw65V1iPGd1bQYT9cxzrW9q1wDNXABRpz6Qhs2njWsZWaGbm/s1600/New+Moto+Rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWkyYRAmDErnSAXFrcNYO9A6vhBi855-dQhEvJOHBvAI4T4URe_kwo1K-0KtbeIpAVDKCwRJdqxfm8ehOa4Xctw65V1iPGd1bQYT9cxzrW9q1wDNXABRpz6Qhs2njWsZWaGbm/s320/New+Moto+Rez.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New motorcycle<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.98in;">
<br /></div>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-42933582866373350592016-09-15T03:31:00.000-07:002016-09-15T03:31:16.676-07:00Medical Center<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Linda and I have just been back in country for a month and we are so excited about all that the Lord is doing in our village.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
The
medical center is completely functional!</span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSHyqkUOMgIUoO4q_bly75qZ1EYb_mS_9JonaxPfe6jWaxLAWIYS7UaMTYqXlUKfU8CndoHHbQU7JjT7be0P7xe5rR_9SaEHzVgCq0S5S8XxmjJx0I5tOr8fTfro3QPbotFP-/s1600/New+Pavillion+Rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSHyqkUOMgIUoO4q_bly75qZ1EYb_mS_9JonaxPfe6jWaxLAWIYS7UaMTYqXlUKfU8CndoHHbQU7JjT7be0P7xe5rR_9SaEHzVgCq0S5S8XxmjJx0I5tOr8fTfro3QPbotFP-/s320/New+Pavillion+Rez.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vaccination day in the village (new pavillion)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
'official opening' of the medical center was held on April 12</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
with visiting officials from the Ministry of Health from Niangoloko,
Banfora, Wangolo, and Nonfesso. Most of the village turned out for
the celebration and drums and dancing went well into the evening.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The
government has sent us 3 nurses with the promise of sending
us one more nurse. One of the nurses serves as the chief of staff, one is
a midwife, and one is in charge of vaccination campaigns. Each of
the nurses take their turn for general medicine consultations.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In our absence, our village contact, Babou, contracted with a builder to have a pavilion built on the hospital</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
property. This will be used for vaccination campaigns, training for
the women, and for a place in the shade for family members to rest.</span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuRY6LSO5pjIU9DMKnMo20827OdEDiX9WBzQCtOuHTKJjZpycoV7PJs1UFhKCPvlWd0hjocQGk5P-DTHWWcPI5ofJ2F1y7rMBrS_euYiRrWGvjsN5JNsQgZ1s7WKaa0wN0wuZ/s1600/Baby+weighing+Rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuRY6LSO5pjIU9DMKnMo20827OdEDiX9WBzQCtOuHTKJjZpycoV7PJs1UFhKCPvlWd0hjocQGk5P-DTHWWcPI5ofJ2F1y7rMBrS_euYiRrWGvjsN5JNsQgZ1s7WKaa0wN0wuZ/s320/Baby+weighing+Rez.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn weighing less than 2 pounds<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As
of Sept 1</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,
there have been 137 women give birth in the new maternity center!
Women who probably would have given birth at home are coming from as
far away as 35 kilometers to have their babies in the
hospital!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We
made a quick trip to Banfora with two babies in distress. One was a
premature twin weighing less than 2 pounds and the other was a
newborn with a cleft lip.</span> </div>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-1496904247762797752016-02-15T01:54:00.000-08:002016-02-15T01:54:18.543-08:00Returning 'home' to Burkina<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After
spending a few days in Yako, and then a few days in Ouaga, Linda and
I took the road </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TOoSCOW9NwoqvS5xJDKxQAWevw59NENfp-QKPxSjx0S-8Igo1MLyF9mpwboo8XyGQaGnNFObPU2KrVet8pw1m_oDfZMQaCMhr-ZXnjMjAQ1sesOA7PrHxHv2rNufbja_NTrc/s1600/Chief+visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TOoSCOW9NwoqvS5xJDKxQAWevw59NENfp-QKPxSjx0S-8Igo1MLyF9mpwboo8XyGQaGnNFObPU2KrVet8pw1m_oDfZMQaCMhr-ZXnjMjAQ1sesOA7PrHxHv2rNufbja_NTrc/s320/Chief+visit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
south to our little village of Kimini. Upon arrival
we were honored by a visit from the village chief and the leaders of
the village.<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6yi_578Z487EUyLtxY0icOgW-2t8NZ4VmEi3P24_SMGdLQX22R8FNExESgqdMxtLrMvjmnapSNkHppazshN6AnTqdA483BUNqKja4cy-2qXf7xxjpEBSNPE7jeuddzVrpTO2/s1600/Babou+mtg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6yi_578Z487EUyLtxY0icOgW-2t8NZ4VmEi3P24_SMGdLQX22R8FNExESgqdMxtLrMvjmnapSNkHppazshN6AnTqdA483BUNqKja4cy-2qXf7xxjpEBSNPE7jeuddzVrpTO2/s320/Babou+mtg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Part
of our first few days in the village were spent in meetings with our
village contact, Babou, reviewing the progress that was made on the
medical clinic while we were away and also planning our next phase of
development.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTcHHOVbj_-KVCsmM3_UTFSxz_Yh_nG6BL4YTtmrxBee6WnjlAvxBO7jcoq7J4D2ycl4txTf9NtT1x0otNj_DVmsbHFMtUckdD2m0bMxluwdxBk5ju52iXu7GzKPptMGQzJWQ/s1600/Baby+Girl+Biba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTcHHOVbj_-KVCsmM3_UTFSxz_Yh_nG6BL4YTtmrxBee6WnjlAvxBO7jcoq7J4D2ycl4txTf9NtT1x0otNj_DVmsbHFMtUckdD2m0bMxluwdxBk5ju52iXu7GzKPptMGQzJWQ/s320/Baby+Girl+Biba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
little baby girl is named Biba. She weighed just a little under 5
pounds at birth. Her mama is not well and cannot produce milk for
her, so we have enrolled Biba in our milk program.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnlPXGt0nM_qYH5iL23PSN_N_YqH6uyqtCvClwBc1VQ95uGE3B0Bz7pAqUk4f4RE5-Ub3woQRPSQg7qPMzyu7gkKRgsTPRfI6m9OHuc5CW7dwUB_9oZ2VBSGTh8jdsIW65kc3/s1600/Maman+study+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnlPXGt0nM_qYH5iL23PSN_N_YqH6uyqtCvClwBc1VQ95uGE3B0Bz7pAqUk4f4RE5-Ub3woQRPSQg7qPMzyu7gkKRgsTPRfI6m9OHuc5CW7dwUB_9oZ2VBSGTh8jdsIW65kc3/s320/Maman+study+time.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
is a very impressive young girl named Maman. Last year on Jan 1<sup>st</sup>
she suffered some very bad burns on her backside and the back of one
of her legs when her skirt caught on fire while she was cooking.
Maman missed 6 weeks of school last year, yet finished the school
year with a very high mark. Since then, Maman often comes by asking
for help with her English studies.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM4_Qh-XGwKThkqvJDonEQd20dT69tKEwIWgoUGvL_TvYghlD2MwUviCvpOVFwFrmibz_DiJ0v1kEtBhi-pSkaXMo4IMaXbqAEljGnzbeBKORFI7ppBQP4CNQWpKQh8wQGH9s/s1600/Uniforms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM4_Qh-XGwKThkqvJDonEQd20dT69tKEwIWgoUGvL_TvYghlD2MwUviCvpOVFwFrmibz_DiJ0v1kEtBhi-pSkaXMo4IMaXbqAEljGnzbeBKORFI7ppBQP4CNQWpKQh8wQGH9s/s320/Uniforms.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Through
a very generous gift from Dawn Malcolm, we were able to equip the
Kimini school and the Nonfesso school with sports uniforms for their
soccer teams. This is the proud Kimini team in their new uniforms.</span></span></span><br />
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Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-31354158956446979132015-10-12T14:18:00.000-07:002015-10-12T14:18:50.458-07:00The Rainy Season<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n-XMlnKXi7t8wu-40lnCNXJtiu0riEfjHN7UcM57j3V1wEeiTdlrE-nhAjtVANRKS_5g-LPXVHJXCiT3w6f08IeskAmg7MImh7RJq_RkJx6uLPHE0DXaoyUR5UE-9fEro1m_/s1600/Flood+waters+Rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n-XMlnKXi7t8wu-40lnCNXJtiu0riEfjHN7UcM57j3V1wEeiTdlrE-nhAjtVANRKS_5g-LPXVHJXCiT3w6f08IeskAmg7MImh7RJq_RkJx6uLPHE0DXaoyUR5UE-9fEro1m_/s320/Flood+waters+Rez.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Burkina
Faso has two seasons per year, the rainy season and the dry season.
The rains start </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">during the months of May through September and the
rest of the year is dry. . . with little to no rain again until May
or June.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
year, the rains were really late in starting in the southern region
where we live, but towards the end of July, it started raining every
3 or 4 days and now at the end of September,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> everything is lush and
green.</span><br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtlotnFeGVki9hTXaugC07YMvmA4f-YDGu_FMRiPVO_47HRALu0nYY_JsnBhOdrla8dHpYkgyJ3zmr2NK91_a3p7mtr5KDr_mxEwxGdJc8c_3uZ6Nq4xSMWTK9v_U714H4W3Z/s1600/Flood+waters+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtlotnFeGVki9hTXaugC07YMvmA4f-YDGu_FMRiPVO_47HRALu0nYY_JsnBhOdrla8dHpYkgyJ3zmr2NK91_a3p7mtr5KDr_mxEwxGdJc8c_3uZ6Nq4xSMWTK9v_U714H4W3Z/s320/Flood+waters+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lake<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">August
is generally the month with the most abundant rains. The fields have
all been planted and the farmers are fertilizing, spraying to kill
the bugs, and waiting with anticipation for the October harvest.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
are a couple of places along the road to Kimini where the land is
flat and there are no places for the abundant rains to drain away.</span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
call this place in the road, 'our lake', and we are thankful each
time that we go up and down this road, that we get safely
through. Our truck is sturdy and strong and with 4-wheel drive, we
plow right through the water and the mud!</span></span></span><br />
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Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-49655188559248783642015-09-01T11:44:00.000-07:002015-09-01T11:44:08.706-07:00Signing of contracts--<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
past month has been filled with fun activities in Kimini!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On
August 23<sup>rd</sup>, we met with a new local contractor and signed
papers to begin the work on the maternity building of our medical
center. </span></span></span>
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<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
contractor and his team are located in Banfora, about 100 kilometers
from our village. At the signing, we made the first payment in the
agreed upon contract and on Aug 25<sup>th</sup>, the masons and a
team of manual laborers arrived in Kimini, ready to begin the work. </span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49xW8ErhBTNeSXJVyhpO_R89CpuReFwTjdoXBU4b1j6zXVyiuw-7R8ujjYCgEuB-Dl768ixxJy8bM9_DJMEwP7r65rBriRY72FvTUkFsdn94_NT4ReFypEougchRwnhyRX4u1/s1600/Signing+the+contract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49xW8ErhBTNeSXJVyhpO_R89CpuReFwTjdoXBU4b1j6zXVyiuw-7R8ujjYCgEuB-Dl768ixxJy8bM9_DJMEwP7r65rBriRY72FvTUkFsdn94_NT4ReFypEougchRwnhyRX4u1/s320/Signing+the+contract.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
very first steps are to make the concrete bricks on-site, clear the
land, and identify the placement of the building. These steps were
all started last week and already, we can see the foundation being
laid for the maternity building.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_od1a5-mNlancUg9iKTuzV64iK4nxUvf9NlzCXmap0JU5bXqcpI-2yPITpVzJlrRRJB6U6UoN_7WuAJjIDQEu8QHZQNigkxuJU9UNI7uPMzhMBhazEa_MPsaeXtOnuwwQQoOk/s1600/making+bricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_od1a5-mNlancUg9iKTuzV64iK4nxUvf9NlzCXmap0JU5bXqcpI-2yPITpVzJlrRRJB6U6UoN_7WuAJjIDQEu8QHZQNigkxuJU9UNI7uPMzhMBhazEa_MPsaeXtOnuwwQQoOk/s320/making+bricks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Making Bricks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
praise God for his provisions for the building of a medical center in
Kimini! Please pray with us that the people of Kimini will come to
see that our God is a kind and loving God and that He loves the
people of Kimini very much!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b31jxJy7yIwX6c-ePqDUldgTs9ZpU5dNMW80BOaa_X_3F6Q_E_ApLOpBqI2QETdTd-ZWe7LLLT3tvsaN2wwVBhItLcts3V8P0tTOUTBrf4kYfDpOViKXPnnpM0Dju3QdgORd/s1600/laying+the+foundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b31jxJy7yIwX6c-ePqDUldgTs9ZpU5dNMW80BOaa_X_3F6Q_E_ApLOpBqI2QETdTd-ZWe7LLLT3tvsaN2wwVBhItLcts3V8P0tTOUTBrf4kYfDpOViKXPnnpM0Dju3QdgORd/s320/laying+the+foundation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying the foundation<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-63283772957033104672015-08-08T04:00:00.000-07:002015-08-08T04:00:01.852-07:00A Visit from the Chief<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
morning we had a visit from the village chief ( tribal king). He brought us
a large bag </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T2GkWB_yQxmOvU-KDfP-xaMmBSjZt4uXooSDxpCNVwiVnCCJc6uAl-rHuddP4qgEPjGBltZ83BoC9LexvbEUs6fePH7gTPH8qA2-dW6EC2QHZmJ7PQYfFIpZIgC2rdYzBPSA/s1600/Chief+July+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T2GkWB_yQxmOvU-KDfP-xaMmBSjZt4uXooSDxpCNVwiVnCCJc6uAl-rHuddP4qgEPjGBltZ83BoC9LexvbEUs6fePH7gTPH8qA2-dW6EC2QHZmJ7PQYfFIpZIgC2rdYzBPSA/s320/Chief+July+2015.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
filled with guinea fowl eggs. This is a very precious
gift because eggs are very rare in the village during this season.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
chief also came asking us for help. He has had cataracts in both of
his eyes. He had surgery about 2 years ago in one eye and has not
had the means to have the other eye done. The cataract in his left
eye is now very advanced and he can barely see out of it. </span></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
talking with the chief, cataract surgery is done at the hospital in
Banfora (about 2 hours away), and the cost is about 40,000 fcfa or
about $80. Considering all that the chief has done to help us to
advance the project here in Kimini, we feel that providing him this
money is a very small thing that we can do for him. </span></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please
pray with us that in helping to give the chief natural sight, he will
also come to know the Father of Light.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-39456465367568234662015-08-04T13:33:00.000-07:002015-08-04T13:33:50.777-07:00A 'Masked' Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBYlgZ6Ybt33JWd4jD_1DIFjrpbATzO4IQjvaEglyuHDGVBIuxt-5OiNhKZznVjSyHcWIttbAsDI1Zheb9VUwBoIN-6_qfCsYIG07oDyXmhUb3nvNXcQlIY8sMmGOSmH51Uzl/s1600/Masked+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBYlgZ6Ybt33JWd4jD_1DIFjrpbATzO4IQjvaEglyuHDGVBIuxt-5OiNhKZznVjSyHcWIttbAsDI1Zheb9VUwBoIN-6_qfCsYIG07oDyXmhUb3nvNXcQlIY8sMmGOSmH51Uzl/s400/Masked+Man.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Upon
arriving in the village we learned that one of the village fathers
died this past week. Part of the cultural funeral ceremony for a
person of his status is for a 'masked' man to run through the village
throughout the day. This masked man terrorizes the children by
threatening them with a whip as he passes from house to house asking
for money to help cover the costs of the funeral.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Please
stand with us in prayer in the midst of cultural and animistic
beliefs which hold our people here in captivity.</span></span>Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28351168.post-70176393886261952452015-08-02T11:21:00.000-07:002015-08-02T11:21:32.501-07:00A Pastor for Kimini--<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
spending 2 wonderful months at home visiting family, friends, and
many faithful supporters, it was very exciting to again return to our
little village of Kimini. We found our little home and courtyard in
good order. A couple of the youth of the village had kept our little
garden watered and cleared the weeds from the courtyard. After
sweeping out mounds of dirt and dust we were again settled into our
village home.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A
Pastor for Kimini</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Christian Missionary Alliance Church has sent a student pastor to
work in Kimini.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBK8LiPOMl1VCal-0kLRsq1Mmbr81-ucbc-rh1KQ1j6l56il6j1QsoOxKQx9Tbsbt-2QqFvCCQ1KEssa12wd7ANN0Qr_sqJjPKONbolywHUzNG6fpcz9BrJ1oTsOr2TYNiAqdP/s1600/Pasor+Bernard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBK8LiPOMl1VCal-0kLRsq1Mmbr81-ucbc-rh1KQ1j6l56il6j1QsoOxKQx9Tbsbt-2QqFvCCQ1KEssa12wd7ANN0Qr_sqJjPKONbolywHUzNG6fpcz9BrJ1oTsOr2TYNiAqdP/s320/Pasor+Bernard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Bernard<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bernard and his wife, Dorcas, and their son, Gideon,
are here for the months of May through September, when Bernard will
return to Bible School to continue his studies. </span></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
were privileged to worship with the small body of believers on Sunday
and then again on Thursday for their weekly prayer meeting. What joy
it is to see the Lord building the foundation for His Church in
Kimini!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Please
pray for safety and protection as these new believers step out in
their new faith.</span></span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Please
pray for the Holy Spirit to hover over each courtyard in Kimini and
draw the hearts of the people to Jesus.</span></span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Please
pray for the construction of a small church building for this new
body of believers.</span></span><br />
</li>
</ul>
Ruth Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17490456681646682311noreply@blogger.com1