We are going to Africa!

Pictured (clock wise) front roll are: Jana Slater, Jeana Harley; back roll: Tom Peters, Tim Harley, Dave Slater and Ivanildo Trindade

A few months ago some of us were just carrying on with our lives when an event of catastrophic proportions occured. I am referring, of course, to Huricane Katrina. Since then we each have been involved in significant recovery efforts in Louisiana and Mississipi, through the work of our church, the Wooster Grace Brethren Church (www.woostergrace.org).

From Katrina, God has taken us on a journey beyond what we imagined and our next stop now is Bangui, Central African Republic (C.A.R.). We are being sent by our church as sort of modern-day spies a la Joshua and Caleb in the Old Testament. We desire, as a church, to make a difference for eternity in the lives of people who are extremely poor and suffering from diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

We are an advanced team to feel the heart of God in loco for those who are without hope in this world. During the next few weeks we will be posting some entries from the U.S. and (hopefully) from Africa. Our trip will take place from August 31 to September 17. For now, we ask you to pray for:

1. Hearts to be open to hear about Christ;
2. Wisdom for us to discern where God would have our church work in the future;
3. Safetey and joy as we travel many miles to and within the C.A.R.
4. Our families, who are staying behind.

In the next post you will learn more about each of our team members.

Pastor Ivanildo Trindade