Around Niamey, people are talking about the new bridge, the one that is being built not far from the existing bridge that serves as the almost-always congested, only way to cross the Niger River for 400 miles – unless you cross by pirogue or ferry. Most of us are surprised at how fast it’s going up, but then those of us who live near this construction know that the work continues 24/7.

Bridge building – we can’t help but draw the comparison between the bridge being built across the Niger and the ones we’re striving to build here in Niamey to cross the chasm that exists between God and those He wants to save. Although there is usually no outright resistance to the gospel and to those who are here to proclaim it, there are most definitely underlying efforts to thwart and hinder this ‘bridge-building’. An indigenous group of Nigerien educators have been trying to start a Christian school for Nigerien children, but are being hindered at every turn. Now it seems that they need only one more signature which should be coming as a result of a meeting in December. Please pray that this signature is forthcoming and that the Cornerstone group would be able to open their school in January and start building bridges for the children of Niger.

In past updates, we have asked you to pray for a math teacher for Sahel Academy. We rejoice to tell you that Daniel Meade arrived Oct. 25^th to take on our high school math classes for the rest of the school year. He’s young and full of energy and is just the person you’ve been praying for. Thank you for your faithfulness.

How about you? Have you ever considered living abroad for a school year and teaching or helping out at an international school. You will find it very rewarding and will probably learn more in that one year than the students you teach. Do you think that you are too old? This year we have a retired missionary teaching Grades 1/2 who is 83! The students love her and she very definitely loves her students. Just check out our website to see where you might fit here at Sahel Academy. We still have many needs for 2009/2010 school year. We ask you to once again pray for God’s person for each position.

Previously we’ve asked you to pray for the situation with our renter. Nothing has improved. We know that he has had some reversals in his life through which we’ve been able to share the love of Christ. Please pray that our renter will continue to search for answers and that he will find them in the Lord. Pray that we would have the wisdom to know when to tell him that he has to move.

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15

This morning as I was reading one author’s commentary on Isaiah 30:15, I had to disagree. For this author, the idea of ‘resting’ created the image of a fly ‘lighting down’ so it could be smacked. The author did go on to say that that’s not what is meant here, but I already knew that. The image created in my mind is one of God waiting for us to ‘light down’ so that He can hug us and love on us. I guess this image is fresh in my mind because of the very special time I’ve recently spent with my granddaughters. My heart still yearns for the times when Summer would stop long enough to let me hug her. Is that how God feels? Is that why Isaiah goes on in the same chapter to say that “He rises to show you compassion.”? Imagine that! We know that God doesn’t sleep, but if He did, His excitement at getting up each day would be the possible chance that I would light down long enough to allow Him to once again show me His love! As David exclaimed in Psalms 139:6, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me…”

I praise God for travel safety as I traveled alone to the states last month without Bob, for the time with my family and the opportunity to personally welcome baby Hannah to our family, and for the chance to connect with many of you. I am back at Sahel Academy and busily catching up on many things that were waiting for me. We praise the Lord that Sahel technology ran smoothly while I was away. Many thanks to those who were available to cover for me in the Computer Lab and for any possible emergencies (which didn’t happen).

It seems that we’re running without any margin this year at Sahel in many areas. First of all, two staff members who were to join us have not arrived. For one of them, her arrival date has been postponed until next school year. The other staff member, our math teacher, is still raising support. We need him. Local missionaries are covering some of His classes; Bob has also picked up an extra class. As you can imagine, this puts a strain on the other ministries/classes to which these willing people are called. Please pray that God would supply what is lacking: both in getting this young man to the field, and in the extra strength that is needed by those who are filling the gap until he arrives.

Second of all, our electrical power problems continue. When we do have power from the local electrical company, it is often insufficient to power everything on campus, and almost always is below the voltage that is ‘healthy’ for our equipment. While a new transformer has been put in place, we are still waiting for the paperwork that lets us flip the switch to see if this will solve our problems. It’s been more than a year since the beginning steps of this project. The work itself hasn’t been that time-consuming, but the waiting for ‘official permission’ between each step has been long and very discouraging. Just as Isaiah encouraged above, we are trying to ‘rest’ and see what God will do. Please pray with us for God’s intervention and ’show of love’ in this situation.

Pray also for one of our co-workers who will be returning to the US soon in order to be closer to better medical care for her high-risk pregnancy. While she is taking some of their children with her, the rest are remaining here on the field with dad. This lady fills so many crucial roles, one of which is overseeing our national French school for about 600 elementary Nigerien children. Her caring and involved leadership are making a difference in this ministry. Please pray that this influence will continue as she tries to guide and direct at a distance through e-mail and long-distance communication. Also pray for dad as he takes charge at home and also continues in the studio ministry without his partner for these few months. Pray for the health of mom and the new baby, and for the children who will all be missing a parent for these few months.

We can’t thank you enough for your prayers. Knowing that you are praying encourages us in ways that you cannot imagine. While our financial support level as been slowly falling due to both the economy in the US and here in Niger, we’ve seen God meet our needs in ways that we cannot imagine. We look forward in anticipation to what God will do in the future through our partnership.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Psalms 19:1-4

School started on Tuesday, Aug. 12^th in the middle of what felt like a whirlwind; teachers cleaning classrooms, preparing lessons, and planning for each individual student whom God has placed in our classrooms. We know that some will not know Him, while others may know Him, but not fully comprehend the greatness, love and grace of our God.  We have the unique privilege of being the hands of Jesus as He shows Himself to every one of them, and we are excited!

At a teacher’s retreat before school started, we were challenged with these question: “If the whole earth is filled with the glory of God, are my students getting some of that?” We were once again reminded that what is important at the end of the day is that the students have learned something about the glory of God.

For Lois and I, this exciting time at school is just part of God’s glory in the Gillespie family. On Aug. 27^th, we welcomed granddaughter #2. Hannah Skye, who arrived weighing 7 lb. 9 oz. and ‘standing 20 inches tall. She joins big sister Summer Dawn.  Lois is there helping Daddy with Mommy, Summer and Hannah – and loving every minute of being a ‘Gwamma Gwespie’.

Ways to Praise:

• New Media Center – home of new Computer Lab and new Library;
• Improved facilities throughout the school;
• New teachers: Miss Campbell, Miss Masterson, Miss Hoffrichter, Mrs. Brinkley, Mr. Brinkley, and Mr. Meade;
• Safe arrival of Hannah Skye; Lois’ priceless time with our granddaughters.

Ways to Pray:

• Each of our 89 students - you may not know their names, but God does;
• Safe arrival to come - teachers (music and math); each has some final details to take care of and some more support to raise;
• Still needed: the staff needs list is located at www.sahelacademy.com\staff; most urgent is our need for a bookkeeper;
• Dorm students and their parents during their separation;
• New dorm parents Uncle Tim and Aunt Janice who are parenting 13 MKs, and their 2 young children who must now share mommy and daddy;
• The situation with our renter which is still not good; wisdom as we decide what steps to take next.

We’re enjoying weekly rains, the students are gone, we’ve moved into our ‘new’ house, and the work continues; that about sums up our situation now. After nine very dry and hot months, we now have the periodic relief of literal showers of blessings.  The students are on their summer vacations along with many of the staff.  Many things are being done here on campus to prepare for the new school year which will start in less than a month. Lois, along with the help of many willing hands, moved the computer lab to the new Media Center this past weekend. She has lots of work ahead to put it all together, but she’s very relieved to have it ‘in place’. This week’s plan includes moving the library to the Media Center. It’s exciting to be here and to see how God is blessing as we prepare for the year ahead.

This area of West Africa and particularly Niger does not seem to be a magnet attracting people to come and work along with those who are here. The work is slow, the culture is difficult, and the weather seems to aggravate any other situation. Therefore, it is not easy to attract people to come to Sahel Academy and teach MKs. This year we have some challenges ahead as some key teaching positions have not been filled - yet. Last night as some of us met to pray, we were reminded of how God has supplied in the past; we are earnestly asking God to show His mighty hand once again. We’re praying for the students God will send our way this year, that they will “take it personally”, and see how God has provided for them again. We pray that they will learn to know in their hearts that God will continue to provide for them every day of their lives.

Sahel Academy is a strategic part of the missions work here in Niger as we continue to educate missionary kids. Even though the work in Niger is difficult and slow here, in the past 20 years the number of churches in the capital city of Niamey has grown exponentially. Niger seems to be in competition for last place as the poorest nation in the world.  The world says that the nation needs more money given to it.  We say that Niger needs Christ. This country seems to be as hard as the ground we walk on, yet the gospel of Christ and Biblical thinking are beginning to make a dent.  This is not the time to back off on missionary activity, but to continue our efforts.   We realize that things in the states are tight, so we greatly appreciate the sacrifices that are being made for the cause of Christ both at home and abroad.  If it were not for your continued prayers and support the work here in Niger would cease.  We thank you, and the people of Niger thank you even though most of them do not know it yet.

For the first time, Sahel’s graduation ceremony was held on the “green”, a beautiful patch of grass in the center of the campus which stands out from all the sand around it as a cool green oasis.  Especially unique this year: instead of ceremoniously marching down the aisle, the graduates arrived from across the campus on camels. This year’s graduating class consisted of three boys, all of whom have grown up in Africa since they were infants. Each one in some way commented that he was not at all saddened at what he had missed by not growing up in North America, but felt that he has been blessed by all that he has gained by growing up in Africa. Pray for these three graduates who are now saying good-bye to their home of the last 18 years.

Most missionaries have a certain people group to whom they minister here in Africa.  For Lois and I, the missionary kids are our people group. This is what we do. It is our great joy to see these boys graduate and go out to impact their world for Christ. They may someday return; MKs often return as missionaries themselves.

Although this school year has ended for us, the busyness will continue throughout the break time. We are moving on campus this week, a move that we trust will greatly simplify our lives. Also, the new media center is almost completed, and Lois hopes to be moving the computer lab to the new location during this break. This involves overseeing the building and fabricating of new computer workstations and a server and network rack. Please pray that all goes smoothly so that we can be in the new facilities for the beginning of the school year.

The electricity supplied to our campus is undependable. This week alone we have been without power for as much as 5 hours at a time; sometimes the return of power causes damaging spikes to electronics even though they are protected. A transformer which should help this situation has been sitting in customs for several months. Sahel has been unable to obtain the signatures for its release. There are also several vehicles belonging to co-workers sitting in customs waiting for the proper signatures of customs agents. Please pray for these matters to be settled soon.

Sahel is once again praying for a high school math teacher, as well as a lower elementary teacher and a high school science teacher. Pray that God will direct these people our way. Lois and I know of so many or our friends who are qualified; if you are one of them, we’d be thrilled for God to direct you to join us in this MK ministry. For more information, please visit www.sahelacademy.com/staff.

Boubacar is still up north in Timbuktu. We haven’t heard when he is returning. Supposedly he has family up there who are Christians. Please continue to pray that this visit will result in his salvation. As we move to campus, we will lose regular contact with Boubacar, even if he does return to Niamey. Please pray for the seed that has been planted, and for those who will continue to minister in his life.