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Helping the Church in Chad rescue orphans and widows,
train leaders, and share
the Gospel
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January 12, 2010
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In Memory of Datoloumbeye Poltazar Lol
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Dear Brothers and Sisters and Supporters of Mission: Chad,
It is with heavy hearts for our loss that we are writing to let you know that on Sunday, January 10th., the pastor of Village Altonodji, Datoloumbeye Poltazar Lol, died. The Lord took him home after a sudden and short illness, the last few days of which were spent in the hospital in N'djamena, the capital city. The funeral is Wednesday, January 13th., in N'djamena; some of the children from the village will be there too. By our standards, Lol was a man in the prime of his life. As is so often the case in Chad, the exact cause of death is not known to us. Lol leaves behind his wife, Esther, and their three children, the twin girls, Lajoie and Lapaix (9 years old), and their son, L'elu (5 years old). Widowhood in Chad is never, ever easy. >>read more<<
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December 16, 2009
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Christmas Message from our Partners in Chad
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Dear Friends,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:4-7)
It's hard to believe that we are to the end of another year. We are all approaching the festive Season and together we once again celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. >>read more<<
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"...we appreciate your generosity in sponsoring our children..."
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December 2009
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Support for the Sake of Self-Sufficiency: New Projects for a New Year
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By Scott Hafemann, President
We are glad to celebrate the completion of our "Build the Wall" campaign. Our celebrations, however, though deeply heartfelt, are quite subdued and they don't last long. The needs in Chad are daunting and the challenges we face as we work alongside of our Chadian partners are ever-present.
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One of the slated projects for 2010: Replacing this temporary shelter used by the ESTES daycare program with a permanent all-season structure.
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As we told you in our last letter, the crossroad we anticipated reaching is now here. So when our board met in September, we faced our growing pains seriously. Our strategy in moving forward is to continue to take our cues from the leaders in Chad, supporting the projects and plans they have in view, while developing them in the pace the Lord determines by his leading in your lives as our supporters. At the same time, as their partners we are thrilled to report that we all agree that our priority is to use our support for the sake of their self support. As our motto puts it, "Helping Africans Help Themselves."
>>read more<<
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December 2009
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"Build the Wall" Campaign Completed!
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As you read this, our faithful core supporters, we are celebrating a "Mission: Completed" at Mission: Chad! When we last wrote three months ago, we were hoping to finish the fund raising campaign for the massive security wall around Village Altonodji by Christmas. But thanks to the Lord's mercy, expressed in your love, Thanksgiving has preceded Christmas at the village too! Just over two weeks ago we met our goal of $180,000 needed to complete the project (a goal that initially seemed too large for our small mission, which constantly reminded us that only the Lord is "big"!). Even as you read this, construction of "the Wall" is being finished. As an act of partnership, the last, small step of its final covering will be paid for from the village's own budget!
This comes on top of the completion over the last two years of the first phases of the ice business and the irrigation project at the bible school and seminary. What an amazing period of growth for the work of the Kingdom of God in Chad! Indeed, we are celebrating!
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October 2009
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At the Crossroads Between Suffering & Seeking
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By Scott Hafemann, President
Mission:Chad is coming to a crossroad. Due to your ongoing generosity and the one-time gifts of several friends and churches, we are now within sight of finishing our last, major infra-structure project for Village Altonodji:building its desperately needed security-wall. It is over 80% completed. As of this writing, we have only $13,250 to go in completing the $180,000 that has been needed to provide this protection for the widows and children of the village. Trusting God for the rest, we are pressing on to the finish line! >> read more <<
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October 2009
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Micro-Finance, the Answer to Poverty?
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Micro-loan participant sells produce in local marketplace.
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Anyone wanting to start a business in the U.S. knows how important bank financing can be. It never occurs to us who live in the U.S. that bank financing would not be available. Yet, in Chad as in many places around the world, getting a bank loan is not a possibility. But micro-finance programs provide good news to those in areas where bank loans are not available. Such a program was started in Chad with the trip Beth Rodgers and I took in April-May this year. >>read more<<
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October 2009
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Meet Jérémie, VA Accountant- More Than Numbers
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NDissedmadj Torniguenoudji, otherwise known as Jérémie, has been the VA accountant since April, 2007. Jérémie manages the finances for the school and is in charge of purchasing school supplies like pens, notebooks, pencils and erasers. When asked if supporters could send notebooks to the children, Jérémie points out that... >>read more<<
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Jérémie, wife and three children at Village Altonodji
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© 2009 Mission:Chad, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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