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By Debara Hafemann
A year ago, the board of Mission:Chad voted to help support the Evangelical Church of Chad's Bible school in Bebalem. It is not accredited but it takes seriously the training of pastors and their wives for the ministry in Chad. Some people describe this school as seminary for "grassroots" pastors. Wasn't supporting ESTES enough? Now a second school to support? Would the Lord provide the funds to do so?
We traveled to Chad in January this year and for the first time drove off into 'the bush' as they say, to visit the Bible school in Bebalem. Life looks very different once you leave the paved road of Moundou. Even Village Altonodji (the orphan village) has a black topped road to it.
The way is somehow clear....for our driver. We drove for almost 2 hours. Miles of dry, sandy land, spotted with an occasional tree or bush. Off and on we spotted young boys herding a few cows. When we finally drive into Bebalem stirring up a tidal wave of dust, the children run out to greet us. A sea of curious faces meets us and it is obvious that a vehicle full of visitors is a special occasion.
As I look at the children I am stunned because I recognize one of the little faces....."Jim, is that you? Leah is that you? You might not remember me, but I remember you! Where is your momma?" He grabs my hand and tugs me towards the building nearby. Inside stands his momma Jisca Ndiguim Tombor (pronounced Gees-ca') in front of a classroom of women. I did not know that after graduation from the program at ESTES (in N'djamena) that Jisca and her husband Noel Dingamndoh had been assigned to take on the role of leading the Bebalem school. We suddenly saw the beauty of being a part of the work at ESTES in the capital city. A couple is chosen to go on to ESTES after showing themselves gifted and willing to serve the church. They are trained for three years supported by the very poor churches they come from and then afterwards they go on to train others at the grassroots level. The people who sacrifice to send them to school at ESTES don't necessarily get back the people they sacrifice to train!
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Jim (center) and Leah (pink dress) along with other children greeting us as we arrive at Bebalem.
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Here at Bebalem the two modest classrooms are packed; one with the men, one with the women. There is an earnestness in the air and they had clearly prepared for our visit. Education is a high privilege in Chad and to be chosen to attend Bebalem is an honor. There are just too many areas without churches and too many churches without pastors to not be involved there. So in Chad we see four levels of training. Study within the churches, a lay leaders program in the capital, grassroots schools like Bebalem and one higher level school like ESTES. How proud we are of the wisdom and commitment of church leaders in Chad to the education of Christian leaders at all levels.
So back to my reunion with Jisca! Let me tell you what blessed me the most about our visit. When I walked into the classroom Jisca introduced me to each of the women and they in turn showed me the handiwork they were doing. Needlework, macramé, sewing, knitting.....all a part of the women's program at ESTES! Jisca had passed on what she learned. Bibles at every desk and notebooks of carefully written study notes too. Women proudly opened them to show me their work.
So, thank you for your gifts of support. Thank you for caring about this very poor country of believers. Please allow yourselves the joy of knowing that God is using you to make a difference.
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