Updates and Prayer Requests
Pastor Joyce and Ian Graue, missionaries serving in CAR, share the following:
The construction of the Women’s Center - known as “Chez Marthe et Marie” - is complete. Support from congregations for this project is ongoing as the center begins serving area women and is dependent on gifts. The adjacent church is complete but needs furniture including pews, benches, lectern, and communion table. Representatives from companion synods (Eastern ND, Western ND (external link) and Texas-Louisiana Gulf (external link)) traveled to CAR for the dedication in February.
The Village Education Project of the Lutheran Church (20 schools established so far) continues to need support. To begin phase two of the VEP (building permanent schools), approximately $20,000 to $25,000 is needed for each school. This project relies almost exclusively on gifts. More than 3000 children who had no other access to elementary education are enrolled in 2008.
The Young Women’s Scholarship Program has made high school education possible for 15 young women. This program is critical for individuals, for their families, and for CAR development. Scholarships are totally dependent on gifts.
Prayers are invited!
- for safety and security for the Graues, Nelsons, and Troesters and for the people of CAR who continue to experience unrest and civil disorder
- for Ian’s work as advisor to the Village Education Project
- for Joyce’s work as advisor to the Women’s Organization
- for our new ELCA missionaries - Phil and June Nelson - who will be serving in the country soon
- for peace in the CAR, one of the poorest nations in the world
- for Deborah and Joseph Troester and their work with the water project
- for Teresa Obwaya who is overseeing the renovation and construction of a developing medical clinic in Gallo (a partnership with Global Health Ministries)
Several people from our synod have visited the C.A.R. and several missionary families are now living in the Fargo area. They are willing to come and speak to your congregation to share first-hand experiences of life in the C.A.R.. To schedule a speaker, please contact the synod office (701-232-3381).