To God Be The Glory!

Today is Wednesday and we are back in Bangui. Tom and I finished a couple things on the orphan care center door. Today is a day to finish some little things before heading home tomorrow.

This will probably be my last blog entry, so I thought I would say thanks to God and all who have prayed for Rick, Tom, and me. This trip at times seemed like an episode from "Survivor." With Rick's sickness and my broken finger, Satan has tried to discourage us and take our eyes off Jesus. But greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world!!!

I thought I would share from God's Word to close out our time here. Ephesians 2:8-10: "For it by Grace you have been saved through faith and this is not of yourselves it is gift of God not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship created in Christ to do good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do."

This passage teaches us that it is all about God, so all glory is His. We all are beneficiaries of God's grace through Jesus' death and resurrection. The good things we do are not to earn our salvation but to fulfill God's purpose. This is the legacy I want to leave -- to be faithful, persevere and give all glory to God. Are you fulfilling God's plans for your life? It takes all of us.

I want to wish all of you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Tom and I are going to eat at the US Ambassador's house for our meal. Then I depart Thursday evening. Tonight Tom and I plan to visit Dr. Paul Yalipende and his wife, Susan. I will have him re-wrap my finger before heading home. We also want to maintain our relationship with them. Pray that we can encourage them. Sorry, my camera battery is dead so I used a picture from a previous trip.

In His Service,

Tim

[Blogger's note: Please, pray for Jeana and the children, who will spend Thanksgiving without Tim. And pray for a safe return and happy reunion of Tim with his family].

Heading Back to Bangui

Today is my last day here in Berberati. Tomorrow (Tuesday) Tom and I will make the long journey back to Bangui. It usually takes around 10 hours but we got a lot of rain today so we will see how bad the "roads" will be. Please, be in prayer for a safe journey.

Today we finished the digging project for new water lines and electric lines between the shop and the houses. We dug approximately 800-900 ft. of ditches. My new trainees did most of the digging and they did very well. We worked in very hot conditions (over 100 degrees) and today we worked in rain. My prayer is that God will use this machine for His glory. I also pray that my impact goes farther than a machine, but impacts the lives of those I worked with.

Yesterday was a day of much needed rest and worship. In the afternoon we visited the orphanage where Jeana met a precious little girl in 2006 whose mom died from AIDS. Unfortunately, we did not find her and all indication is she is now a permanent resident of Heaven. The conditions of this orphanage are actually worse than before. The corruption is breathtaking, they held food back and sold clothes given to them by ICDI. The only hope for these kids is your prayers. This again shows the huge impact of ICDI and its care of orphans.

I got a check up on my finger and it is doing well, although it is a little painful each time when my finger is tugged and poked. Thanks for your prayers!!

In His Service

Tim

[Blogger's note: though I have not seen or talked to him, I heard it from reliable sources that Rick is back in the U.S. and doing well. Welcome home, Rick!].

God is Using Tim

Today is Saturday and I am sure many of you are watching the big Ohio State game. Go Bucks!!

Sorry for the delay in info but the last couple of days have been very busy. So let me get you caught up.

Thank you for your prayers, the devotions went very well on Friday morning. I asked Jesus to help me use my being here to help them understand why I would come here. This gave me the opportunity to share a little of my testimony. My main points were: purpose (Eph.2:8-10), sacrifice and perspective. I wanted them to know that many in the USA are sacrificing to help their country.

Sometimes they assume ICDI has a lot of money so they should pay the employees more. I wanted them to consider how they could sacrifice for the Lord through ICDI. The night before I prayed that God would help me use my injury to impact the men. I am going to share with you what God gave me to share, maybe it will encourage you as well.

I began by asking them, "When I hurt my finger where did I go for help? Did I go to the welding shop and ask someone to weld my finger back together? Did I have Jim Hocking take me to a cell phone store? Did I ask to go to a Dentist office? Of course not! I went to the hospital to see a doctor who is specifically trained to take care of my wound so I could eventually heal. But even though I went to the right person I still had to surrender my finger and trust the doctor. But what if when the painful shots started coming I told the doctor to stop, I will go back the house this is too painful. That would only lead to even more pain associated to more infection. The pain from the disinfection process and numbing shots were for my benefit and would lead to eventual healing.

This is the way our lives are. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We all have pain in our lives, where do we go to help with our injuries? Do we go the bar and drink our sorrows away? Do we think if only I made more money then the pain would go away? Or what if I got a new wife would that take the pain away? Or what if I moved to another country? None of these or endless others will take care of our injuries. Jesus is the expert who knows exactly how to address our life's pain. We must surrender our lives to Him and trust that He can repair our lives. But just like in the hospital, repairing first requires necessary pain to prepare for healing. But Jesus has our best interest in mind; healing and restoration!"

Since that devotional, many comments were made of how God had challenged them. It has been especially good with the guys whom I am training. We have had some great discussions and I believe our relationship is strengthening. Bruno, (he is the one who helped me hurt my finger...), has really seemed to open up and he even brought his pet monkey to show me today. Another way my injury has helped is because they see me still working( don't tell Jeana!!). They told me that they felt bad when they saw me working late so from now on they would stay after hours to be with me. Today they came on their day off and they stayed late to help me. My prayer is that my true impact will be in people not just a machine and projects accomplished.

Finger update: On Friday, I went back for a check up and all look well. No infections, Praise God!! Keep praying that the healing will continue. I am also hoping my swelling goes down so I don't have to cut my wedding ring off.

In the picture is Bruno, Bernard, and my translator Alexia and their new Harley Drilling hats and OSU balls for their kids.

In His service
Tim

[Blogger's note: I heard from Jeana yesterday that Tim finally relented and had his wedding ring cut off. Apparently it was "doctor" Tom who performed the procedure].

Going to the 'Zoo' in PAMA

While in Pama, of course, we were the main attraction. Everyone came to see the white man and where he sleeps. Kind of like going to the Zoo to see how the animals live. One little girl and her friends came around every day to see the white men. She liked to shake my hand and then just watch. The last day I gave her a ball, it was fun to spend time with her teaching her how to catch this funny looking ball we call a footbal. Over the course of a half an hour she went from not being able to catch it to catching anything I threw at her. She was queen for that night because of a little Ohio State football she would take home. She came back the next morning to see us leave so I thought we could pray for this girl. I know her family is of the Muslim faith but I pray that God will use her interaction with me as a seed for the gospel.

Tim

A 'Fun' Day in Berberati

[Blogger's note: I had a conversation on the phone with Jeana before I got the following note from Tim. It seems like the enemy is not happy with the work we're doing in the CAR... What Tim is not telling us, because of his gentle heart par excellence, is that it was one of the guys he was training who caused the accident. Now I know some of you will be quick to blame the teacher... just kidding, but seriously, we all need to pray not only for healing for Tim but that he will be able to reach out to the guy who caused the accident and that their relationship will not be affected by it. And continue to pray for Jeana and the kids too!].

I hope all is well back in Wooster. I understand you have some snow. It has been pretty hot here, dry season has started so I am sure temps are near or over 100.

I talked to Tom last night and he said that he and Rick were working at the orphan care center. Rick is much better and working hard before he leaves tomorrow. Please pray for his safe return.

Today I continued the training on the machine but I got to experience the Berberati hospital. About mid-morning I got my finger between the machine and another piece of metal. Not a good combination! It turned out my finger was broken and cut. The doctor did a good job fixing me up.

This was not part of my plan for my time here. Today has been a painful day but as I try to type this with a broken finger I am listening to a song on my headphones that reminds me that God's Grace is enough for me! God knows how to send the right message when I sure need it. I would appreciate your prayers for good healing and no infections.

Tomorrow morning I am sharing in the morning devotions with all the employees so I am praying for God to use me and this situation for His glory. That will be at 7am (11:00 p.m. our time tonight) so please pray for me.

On the lighter side, as you can see from my picture I am cheering for the Buckeyes, go Bucks #1 at least a broken finger is good for some things.

God Bless,

Tim

Double [Good] Whammy

[Blogger's note: it's not every day that we get a glimpse of how God works by hearing two sides of the same story the way these two notes from Tim & Jeana Harley do. I asked permission to post Jeana's note here because it touches our heart in a way that only a wife who loves her husband and wants nothing but see him totally fulfilled in God's purpose can do. I hopy you will be blessed by reading this as I was].

Tim's note:

Hello to all.

I have been busy the last two days training 3 guys to operate the John Deere skid steer machine and all it various functions.

They are excited to learn and at times it is hard for me to get them off because they are enjoying themselves so much. One guy told me it was like getting a new bike -- you don't want to stop because it is so much fun. Another one thanked God for bringing me here with the machine to teach them.

I think after two days of training they are beginning to see how this machine will help them help their country.

There is always a lot of activity here at ICDI. Every morning before work 50-60 employees start their day singing to the Lord and having a Bible Study. After that they all scatter to various projects around the garage.

The dry season is just starting so they are preparing all the trucks to head out to start drilling more water wells. Along with the water well drilling, ICDI also has an orphan care center here for the orphan care groups in Berberti. Then there is another department that is devoted to Agricultural work. Their goal is to develop highly nutritional crops that can be taken to villages to become a source of food for desperatly hungry people. They have different kinds of beans, corn, tropical fruit, banannas, and many other things. It exciting to partner with an organization that is meeting essential needs, including spiritual ones, of people in this struggling country.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

In His Service

Tim

Jeana's note:

Ivanildo,

I couldn't help but cry as I read Tim's email and saw the pictures of him instructing the Africans about the skid steer. If you only knew how far Tim has come and how so very proud I am of him and how he is serving the Lord in Africa. Going to Africa was my thing. Tim wasn't sure at first, but he was open to whatever the Lord had for him.

I knew the first meeting between Tim and Jim Hocking was certainly arranged by God. I have watched over the last three years how Africa has become "his" thing. It has become his dream and his passion. He gets so excited talking to his suppliers here and arranging for supplies to be sent to the drill team in the CAR. To finally be with them and using his area of expertise, I know thrills his heart. He often wondered how God could use him. It is so cool to see him realize it now.

This experience Tim is having today comes through his desire to be used by God however and whenever He so chooses. He is living proof that God will use whatever we give Him to further His kingdom. It makes me want to give Him more and more.

Thank you for investing in us so we can invest in others. I so dearly pray that many many people will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ through this ministry and any ministry He may have for us in the future.

Jeana

'Home Sweet Home" in PAMA

[Blogger's note: This was written by Tim after they left PAMA. Sorry that these entries are not in any chronological order, but I am sure you will still be able to enjoy them].

As you know Rick was sick the last couple of days. Pama is a tough place to live for anyone but for us who aren't used to all the different elements it is really challenging.

The last night in Pama Sampson shared that he thanked us for leaving our homes and sharing our lives with them. He encouraged Rick that even though he was sick he was an encouragement to the other workers. We praise God for the opportunity to partner with them. They know their country is struggling and they appreciate the help.

Keep praying, the struggle is every day

In His Service

Tim

Trading Stories in PAMA

Our main project has been the school. Everyday we worked alongside guys like Sampson Nathan, Pascal, Earnest, and several others.

We all endured the heat and hard strenuous work. Please pray for these men because they will stay behind and finish the things we could not get to during our week there. These men are away from their families, sometimes for months, working at different projects.

When I asked how long it had been since Sampson had seen his family, very quickly, he said: "August 8." Wow. I realized it has been three months. Hopefully, after they finish in Pama and Seyere, they can go home for a while.

Each day we would sit around after work and just talk with the men. It was great to hear them share about their lives.

One conversation was especially interesting. Sampson said from their perspective, they hear about all the medical advances we have and all the technology and the Africans think we Americans should live forever but we don't, we die just the same as they do. We also had a cultural experiment, we showed the guys the movie "Zorro". I know, it is not a spiritual movie by any stretch, but it was fun to help the guys relax and watch them laugh and respond to different aspects of the movie.

Tim "Zorro" Harley.

Behold, a Change for Good!

Life in Pama is very hard but it is changed because of our church.

The new water well that was drilled by our church is constantly in use, pumping the much needed water into any and all containers.

The well is near the school so I watched as children carried water containers on their heads. Back and forth they would go carrying different size containers according to their size. It was fun for me to watch little girls walk by with small bowls of water on their heads and I would wave and smile at them, they would giggle and take one hand from balancing the water to wave back. They made several trips and each time giggling almost before I would wave. It is amazing what a little wave and smile can do.

Another difference our church has made is with latrines. Something that is basic to us is not here. There are now three more available for use in helping with the sanitation problems.

Thanks for your support,

Tim

Hello From the Heart of Africa

We arrived in Pama last night to a hero's welcome. On our way through Sayere (the neighboring village), we were welcomed the same way because a team from Florida did a project including a water well there.

Everyone wanted to shake our hands and some wanted to show off their English skills they must have learned from the other team. These included “ok” and “goodbye.” We met with the regional mayor to let him know of our plans in Pama and he was very excited. Our trip yesterday was an adventure in “highway” travel, some roads nicely paved but you had to watch out for the people walking beside the road.

Then there was the paved road with huge pot holes (some places it was better to drive off the road), and still avoid pedestrians. One of these pot holes flattened one of our tires, so we did a roadside tire change(AAA was not available). Then we arrived in Yaloke to drop off Pastor Tolozombo at his house while our tire was being repaired. This gave us time to have some fellowship with Pastor T’s family. I played ball with the little children while Tom and Rick walked around the old Grace Brethren Mission Station.

Then another friend of Tom’s invited us to her house where she had made a meal for us, so we ate again after being fed at Pastor T’s house. Finally the tire was fixed so off we went down the road to Pama.

Calling it a road is too generous. Miles and miles of washed out road way and bridges lay ahead. By now it was dark so this made our travelling more difficult. Praise the Lord we made it!

Now back to that hero's welcome: From the edge of the village cheers broke out as we entered the village. By the time we stopped at the school building a large crowd had gathered. Like a presidential candidate, we shook hands making sure to get everyone. Then the men of the village chased the kids away to give us some privacy. We set up our accommodations, then sat under the stars. The moon had a halo around it so we took it as a sign of God’s protection.

Today we worked very hard pouring concrete in one of the school rooms. We were glad to see the villagers coming to help. The children carried water from the well (paid for by our church) to fill water containers used to mix the concrete. I have some pretty cute pictures I will send when I get better Internet signal. Several men from the village helped in many ways which was an answer to prayer because the last time our group from our church was here nobody wanted to help.

Rick went to help get gravel out of a local river bed. They had to cut a path down to the river bed. On the way out they ran over a tree stump and punctured a tire. Rick said it was an adventure getting the tire changed. We also got a big rain storm that came through but thankfully we were able to keep working inside.

Thank you all for your prayers and support as we minister on your behalf in the CAR.

In His Service

Tim
P.S. I have an audience watching me look at this funny looking box we call a lap top computer...

Comfort Finally Arrives in PAMA

[Blogger's note: from different sources, including Sue Peters (by way of Rob Miller) and Rick himself, who updated his Facebook saying that he was "relaxing" in Bangui, I have heard that Rick is doing much better. I also heard that Nikesi is doing better. He had some kind of bacteria but has received treatment and is reacting well to it. Please, continue to pray for these guys and our continued work in the C.A.R.]

This was written by Tim while he was still in PAMA:

Hello. Today we continued our work on the school building. All the concrete is mixed by hand so it requires many to accomplish this. Rick has been doing a lot of shoveling filling the wheel barrow over and over. They have been mixing sand and gravel all moved by hand. Then the water is added and then mixed with shovels. The concrete is then hauled to its final destination. I have been on the finishing crew most of the time smoothing the concrete. We all jump in where needed. It is great to work with our African brothers to accomplish a shared goal. There is much laughter to go along with the hard work to make for a wonderful environment.

Tom, as usual spends a lot of time making jokes and working the crowd to achieve the most laughs possible.

Today we improved our 5 star hotel by adding filtered water and a warm fully automatic shower. Today I got the water filter working which can give us safe water to drink. We get the water from the water well and then we have a 12 volt pump to pump the water through a filter and u-v light to disinfect. Then we set up our shower tent and used the pump to pressurize our shower head (a nozzle used for watering plants in the US). We use the power of the truck battery to power our pump and then an inverter to give us 110 volt power. We then have a solar panel to charge the truck battery so we don’t have to run the truck to charge the battery. Kind of technical there but I thought some may enjoy our effort to have the basics here in the middle of Africa.

As we continue our projects here, our prayer is that God uses us to be an encouragement to those around us. As important as doing projects, we want to build relationships which will last forever. Here are some of the guys we are working with.

Sampson is the master builder here, he is the expert in African construction. He is very willing to teach us and to include us in the work. He also is a very Godly man who has given his life to building things for God. He can out work anyone half his age, but he is a very gentile and humble man.

Nathan is Sampson’s son and has learned well from his dad. Nathan is 26 and married and has two children but he looks barely 15. Nathan is also a hard worker who can do anything. When Tom gets him laughing his whole face lights up with a huge smile.

Most of the time Rick and I have no idea what Tom’s joke is but all the Africans get the punch line and it results it uncontrolled laughter. Tom has a great ministry here. I will share more of the names in future emails.

In His Service,

Tim

Tim Arrived in Berberati

Hello from the second largest city in the CAR. I arrived yesterday evening to the ICDI compound in Berberti. I cannot tell you how nice it was to see a house with a bed and a toilet!!! Electricity is a nice improvement as well. The generator gets shut off but a least I know when.

Saturday morning we left Pama, Tom and Rick headed for Bangui and I along with my driver, Gerrard, and Tekundo, who is ICDI's agricultural trainer, headed for Berberti. It was an all day trip covering some of CAR's finest roads. The added challenge for me was my fellow travelers did not speak English. This made for a quiet trip. Tekundo spoke limited English to match my limited Sango but he rode on the back of the truck because there was only room for two in the cab.

I did have one interesting situation sitting at a check point while Gerrard went to get some food. A military guy started speaking to me and I obviously did not understand him so he called another guy over who could speak some English. He asked me questions that did not make much sense but I answered no each time and then that satisfied them and they left me alone. I figured playing dumb was my best option which isn't too hard (laugh). I will try to get caught up on emails and pictures now that I have Internet.

Today I went to church with the Hockings and Doug Murtoff. We went to church with one of Jim Hocking (ICDI executive director)'s employees so it was different than previous experiences but good. Tomorrow I start training some ICDI guys about equipment . Talk to you soon. Keep praying.

Tim

Our Connection is Still Prayer!

Hello everyone:

Yesterday I got word that Rick Ratzel was sick. We were very concerned for him and many of us have been praying for him. Today he is feeling better but we need to continue to pray for him and the rest of the team.

Apparently, the enemy is not too happy that Rick and the others who are working in the CAR right now. The same day Rick arrived in Bangui, he heard that his dog died and his son had had a car accident.

Another one of the team members, Nikesi, a Central African and a member of ICDI staff, who was working with the guys in PAMA, had to be taken back to Bangui because his health was not good. He is still not doing well and needs our prayers. He has a wife and small children. Please, pray for Nikesi.

As far as work goes, they have only a small section of the school to finish and are planning to work on the latrines the next two days. Unfortunately, they were not able to hook their computer up to their sat phone, so we are not able to get regular updates and/or pictures. But Tim is hoping to send pictures when he gets to Berberati.

Thanks for your prayers and concerns for our CAR team!

Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org

Our Team is Busy Working in PAMA!

[Blogger's note: below you will find a summary of a conversation Jeana Harley just had with Tim on the sat phone. Please, continue to pray for our team in the CAR.]

I just got off the phone with Tim. They have been in Pama since Sunday afternoon. The trip up was typical Central African style. If you don’t know what that is, ask one of them when they return. It’s sort of like a VERY LONG ride at the fair. They are still working at getting a computer link with the SAT phone so they can email us pictures and more info about the trip.

As Tim was speaking, he said there was a large group of kids around him watching him talk into that black box. They were also very curious about his laptop too when he was working on it. In Bangui there are cell phones, but up country kids really wouldn’t see people using them. You can imagine the kids trying to figure that one out. The connection broke up from time to time because there was a storm going around them as we spoke. Otherwise, the weather has been good. There was a hard rain yesterday.

The team has been pouring concrete for the last two days. Tom went to the riverbed to get rocks and sand. They had a flat tire on one of their trips to the river. Tim said the people in PAMA are helping out a lot this time, which is a great improvement from the last trip. Rick, Tim and Tom are all doing well and feeling well. They will be in Pama until Sunday. Then they part ways, as Tom and Rick return to Bangui, and Tim goes on to Beberati to work with the well drilling team.


Jeana Harley

"Shopping" in Bangui

[Blogger's note: this is another quick e-mail from Tim. I hope you appreciate his efforts in sending us these updates. Let's pray that the phone thing will work in PAMA!].

Greetings from Bangui.

Today was one of those days that are good days but you don't feel like you accomplished much. Can anyone relate? We got to experience some African culture by going to a cell phone store to purchase a sat phone for our trip up country. It was a much longer process than anything in the States. Even the other Africans in the store were getting impatient waiting for the clerks to process the purchases. We all went along because we thought they would have to set up our laptops to work through the sat phone to send emails but it turned out we didn't. So we waited and waited and waited and waited then finally we had it in our hands, our connection to the world. Hopefully we will be able to email you from Pama using this phone so we will give it a try.


Tonight we had the opportunity to visit the family of the orphan girl who died. It was a good opportunity to encourage many by just our presence. When we arrived the orphan care group was singing songs at the top of their lungs to the Lord. It was dark when we arrived so it was a great sound to hear these voices as we approached. Tom Peters spoke to the group, including the mother and sister of the girl and encouraged them through his words and by praying with them. The group then continued to sing songs -- just being there for one of their own who is now with Jesus. Tom said the leader shared that this is the fourth child to die in two years from this group, so they are taking this hard, wondering why this has to happen. It was a humbling experience to be there but I am glad we went. Please keep praying for the family and for the orphan care family that God will lift them up.

I am glad that so many in our church are investing in these precious lives through sponsoring kids and praying for them. The impact on these kids is incredible. We are impacting kids for eternity!

I hope the Second Saturday ministry went well today we prayed for you all last night that God would use you in the lives of many in Wooster.


This will be the last email from Bangui so hopefully I will email when we get to Pama.

In His Service,

Tim

Life and Death in Bangui

[Blogger's note: Tim sent me another update from Bangui. There is some hard sadness in this, but I have to let you read it so you are aware of the reality of life in that part of the world and why it is that our church keeps sending teams there. Read on.]

I hope things are going well in Wooster, we are doing well in Bangui. Everyone is healthy and getting over jet lag. We spent part of our day preparing to go up country by going through many trunks taking inventory of supplies we will need. It is a challenge to think of everything we might need and make sure everything works. We also started working on a door for the Orphan care center wood shop. We took measurements and started cutting and welding the steel frame. We took a break for lunch but the power went out so we couldn't do anymore welding for the rest of the day. Welcome to life in Bangui!!!

We learned today that one of the orphans died. The child's name was N. She was sponsored by someone in North Carolina. Her story is too typical but painful nevertheless. She and her sister are in the ICDI orphan care system but were cared for by her biological mother because the father had died. Evidently, N has been sick for a couple weeks but her mother refused to take Nancy to the hospital because she said she couldn't afford the taxi ride(it probably would cost her under a dollar, maybe even thirty cents).

The staff from ICDI pleaded with her to take the child in offering to pay for her ride but she refused. They made repeated attempts but were rejected each time. If you are wondering, they can't force her. The ICDI staff is devastated by this news and are grieving themselves. They pour their lives into these kids and it hurts that they couldn't save N. Please pray for this situation, and for the notification of the sponsor. This gives you a glimpse of the struggles of life and ministry here. The good news is that even in the face of such a human tragedy, we know that N. is with Jesus today because of this ministry.

We will be leaving to go to Pama on Sunday so I will try to get another email out before we leave.

Hey Ivanildo, I am using a wireless Internet connection which I can access from the Baptist compound. It is a great improvement!!!


Thank you for all your support.

God Bless,

Tim

In Bangui With a Big Bang

[Blogger's Note: Below you will find a note from Tim. We praise God that they arrived safely and that He even protected their luggage!]

We made it!! And a very important extra, we got all of our luggage. We praise God for having mercy on us. We waited until one of the last luggage transports to see our bags come down the belt. What a beautiful site, after a long wait, I admit I was starting to doubt, but I kept praying.
We spent most of the day resting and sorting out our supplies for our various projects. We also started getting out the camping gear getting it ready for our adventure up country. We also met with the ICDI staff to plan for our time here. It was good to reconnect and pray for God to use our time here.

In His Service
Tim

Paris the Thought

[Blogger's note: I just heard from Tim Harley. Please read the brief summary from him and continue to pray for our team as they start their trip to Bangui later today. Thanks for praying!]

"We made it to Paris!! We are now resting at the Plasters. We dealt with many flight changes on the way over. We were supposed to go from Cleveland to Atlanta to Paris but it changed to Cleveland to Cincinnati to Paris the Tuesday morning it changed back to Cleveland to Atlanta to Paris. Then when we got to the airport and checked in they gave us a new route Cleveland to New York to Paris wow what fun. All of these changes to our flight plans put us in a category that caused us to go through extra inspections to get through security. Praise God we made it. Thanks for your prayers."

Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade

itrindade@woostergrace.org

They are off!

This morning, at about 9:00 a.m., Pastor Daron and I had the honor of praying for our team that just left to the Central African Republic. Though their flight had already changed three times, they were in good spirits. I was so proud of those guys for the sacrifice they are making to serve some of the "least of these."

Tim Harley, Rick Ratzel and Tom Peters will be in the C.A.R. from through November 28 (Rick returns a week earlier).

PRAY for safety for the team on their flights and on the ground and for their families at home.

PRAY for effective work with orphans as the team:

- builds a latrine for the village

- installs doors and windows for the PAMA school

- finishes the work we started in the Orphan care center in Bangui

- shares the gospel

PRAY for the work the team will do in the AIDS clinic.

PRAY for relationships to be built.

PRAY for the village of PAMA. Pray for their safety in light of recent threats.

Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for our team in the C.A.R. They are counting on you!

Feel free to leave comments here for them as well.

I will post here as often as they send me material.

Thanks,

Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade

itrindade@woostergrace.org