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RELENTLESS ATTACKS

We've always had lots of challenges since I went to Mali 19 years ago. These past few months have been pretty intense again. In September Paul received a summons to the justice department, where he was detained and questioned all day long. He thought he was going to have to stay there, but thanks to his connections and people intervening for him, he was released that night. Had they kept him, he would have missed the birth of his daughter the next morning. On September 28th his third child and second daughter Zoé was born. He had been able to organize enough blood donations for the C-section, but then the Lord provided a doctor who was able to turn the baby in the womb so that a C-section was not necessary. Zoé weighed 4.4 kilos or 9 pounds 12 ounces.

Just days ago Paul and I both received a summons to appear at the justice department. Paul believes that it is the same people that went to the government in September to accuse us of child trafficking and who knows what else. In fact, a few months ago our neighborhood that has been trying to get rid of us for years, formed an organization that has the only goal of achieving just that. Thankfully there are a few neighbors that do like us and keep us informed of what is going on. The government has now asked us for all kinds of papers, and we do not have them all. They're also investigating us once again. Please pray for favor and for a positive resolution.

Please pray also for our national leader Paul, my spiritual son, who is just an amazing young man shouldering all the responsibilty in Mali. When he was in a prison cell once before having falsely been accused, he was ready to quit the ministry. This time he realized he was being attacked for doing God's work, so it was an honor.

FAMILY CHANGES

End of September Korotoumou and her four children FINALLY moved in with us. They were really excited, seeing it as a privilege, and they have settled in really well. I recently found out that there was another little girl that used to live with her as her parents could not take care of her, and so we've brought Djeneba also home to our base to reunite her with her foster Mom. Fanta still comes every morning to work for us and goes home with food at lunch time. Her five children are still in our sponsorship program and go to school with our kids. We are also currently paying her rent, but need to find a solution for that situation. We've been made aware that her husband is possibly trying to find a way to get back at us for kicking them out and to try to get money out of us.

As for the five orphaned siblings, they were supposed to move in with us months ago, but then a relative found out that we were Christians and withdrew his agreement. The case went to a judge who was supposed to rule on it a long time ago, but he has now passed it on to a higher court, so we don't know how long it will take to get a final decision. Paul told me that he had the impression from the Lord to keep fighting for them, that they were supposed to be with us. They don't have anyone who could take care of them. Please pray for the decision and for Adama, Djeneba, Hawa, Kassim and Lassine.

RICE SAVING FROM FAMINE

Thanks to the German NGO CCARA we've been able to give away 80 bags of rice these past two months. The village chiefs of the two main villages where they were distributed have told us that that is the only reason a famine was averted in their villages. The needs are so great that even after Paul has given away 40 bags at once, there are still women there crying as they are hungry and have to leave empty-handed. Because of the dire situation, more and more husbands are leaving their families to try to make it to Europe which is considered the Promised Land. They hope to make lots of money there to send back to their families to support them. However, many of them die in the Mediterranean Sea. In the meantime, it leaves those women alone with their children and unable to provide for them. It is very common for people to only be able to eat once a day right now.

While we hear so much about people drowning trying to make it to Europe and never think of them as individuals, it moves my heart to read the stories of specific families who have lost their husbands and Dads that way out of desperation. These are just a few of the many stories:

Mariam believes she is 40 years old. Her husband left her and their two children to make it to Europe. Witnesses told her that he drowned trying in Morocco. She had absolutely nothing left to eat, when we gave her rice.

Anyenou and her children hadn't eaten in two days, when we gave her rice. She couldn't believe her eyes, when she saw the bag of rice. She immediately accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

Fatoumata is 69 years old and lives with her daughter-in-law and her 5 grand-children in Sebela. She tries to survive by begging on the side of the road. Her son left his family 9 months ago to make it to Europe, and they've never heard from him again.

You can read more testimonies here. A bag of rice currently costs $40 or 38€.

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

Last Christmas 2400 children came to our party - the biggest number ever at any one event. We play games, sing, and teach them the gospel, as well as give them food, candy, a drink and a pair of shoes. However, prices have increased dramatically since last Christmas, and as of right now, we only have 1000 shoes to distribute this coming Christmas. As the need of shoes is much higher in the villages, we'll be taking 500 each to Dara and Sebela. However, that is by far not sufficient. On average, a pair of shoes currently costs $2.6 or 2.5€.

Paul has come up with a possible solution to make up for the missing shoes if the funds are not there to buy more. For $238 or 230€ you can buy a small "heap" of clothes, and for $395 or 382€ a big one, each one containing a few hundred pieces of clothing. Those would be cheaper than the shoes and still allow us to give a gift to every child.

If you'd like to help us with blessing the children of Mali this Christmas, please add "Christmas" when you send your donation. Thank you.

QUICK NEWS

•        Daily Blog - If you are not on Facebook but would still like to read my (nearly) daily blog about our life (with the triplets), including pictures, you can do so on our website. Go to https://h2tni.org/blog/.

•        The Triplets - The children are doing well and keep busy with music, piano, dance, exercise and swimming classes. Sammy also continues going to physiotherapy every week, and he sometimes has other appointments as well. He's been fitted for a wheelchair that he should be getting before the end of the year. They're all very lively and full of joy and like being the center of attention, especially Emmy, our little entertainer.

•        Bakary - Bakary was on the street at the age of 3 because his parents had died, and we took him into our home, when he was 4 or 5. He had a hard time in school, but had found his passion, when he started a carpentry school. While he's a really good kid, we had issues with him from time to time. One time he stole a phone in the neighboorhood and ran away, but then returned. A few days ago he again stole two phones, at his workplace, and disappeared. We have no idea where he is. He would have finished his carpentry school by the end of this year. Please pray for him. Bakary has always had a special place in my heart.

•        Situation in Mali - In the last few months jihadist-looking strict Muslims have inquired more than once when we ("the white people") were coming back to Mali. For that reason it is too dangerous for us to fly to Mali in December and January as has been our custom since the birth of the triplets. It is hard for me to not be with my Malian family this special time of year, and not to know when we'll be reunited again.This security situation in Mali is constantly degrading.

•        Construction - In July we finally received our building permit we'd been trying to get for years. Our builder has been waiting for rainy season to end to pick up construction again, and now we're waiting for him to come and continue building our fourth building, which should be the case any day now.

•        Child Sponsors Needed - We still have 5 boys who need a sponsor to go to school and be taken care of. Please check out their stories here to choose who you would like to support for $60 or 50€ per month. Half-sponsorships are also possible.

•        Our Vehicle - Since our vehicle is on the rough roads all day long and often carries heavy weights with dozens of bags of rice, it's already pretty worn out and we spend more and more money on maintenance and repairs. Please pray it will continue running for a long time.

•        First-Grade Teacher - We are still looking for a French-speaking first grade teacher to join our team. There is such a need for a good, Christian school where the children are treated with dignity and learn something. Many of our Muslim neighbors would send their children to our school. Please pray we'll find a teacher!

•       Volunteers - Do you want to come change an orphan's life? Do you want to heal the sick? Preach the gospel to those who've never heard? Come to Mali for a season and let God change your life. No language skills needed, but French skills are helpful.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2.Cor 4:8-9)

Trusting HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)