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FIRST DAY IN COURT

On May 21st the court proceedings against us started. Most of our neighbors have been against us since the beginning, when we moved to our base in 2008, just for the reason that we’re Christians. Then we opened our gates to let the street children sleep on our base, and many of them stayed in the neighborhood during the day until we’d open our gates again at night. The neighbors did not like the street kids around, especially since they were stealing and causing trouble. Time and time again they’d go to the authorities to accuse us, making us responsible for everything bad going on in the neighborhood, or even tried to attack us physically, but even though Paul spent hours in a cell a few times, the charges were always quickly dismissed. They then started an organization with the sole purpose of getting rid of us and tried all kinds of things. Now they’ve finally been able to pay off people in high places, which is why we were taken to court this time, accused of child trafficking and not having our papers in order. It’s a miracle that Paul was not put straight into prison until that first day in court. However, we found out later that the outcome of our trial was already predetermined. They were going to throw Paul in jail and suspend all our activities.

There were three judges that were going to hear our case and they had already been told how to rule in advance. However, we still had the right to present our defense. The Lord had provided us with a great lawyer who truly had it on his heart to help us. We had witnesses, some in high positions, speaking out for us and telling the judges what we are doing. There was an officer from the police precinct who spoke up for us, as they had done an investigation before we received the permit for the church and children’s center. There was also a representative from the village chief who spoke about all we’re doing for the community, as well as others who shared how we had helped them. The government also presented witnesses that had been paid to speak against us. In the end, two out of the three judges were not able to follow the government’s “recommendation” of declaring us guilty. They told us to get our paperwork in order (which we could prove was the government’s fault that they weren’t, as they’ve been dragging their feet) and said the next trial date would be a few months from now. It has now been set for some time in September. They have to make a unanimous decision so please pray for the third judgeto also do what is right. There’s no doubt that the other side will do everything they can these next few months to get them to condemn us, while we can also continue to present our side of things during this time. Your prayers are therefore crucial, and much appreciated!

(The picture shows a random courtroom in Bamako.)

POWERFUL SORCERER SEES JESUS

Not only do we take care of children and families in need, but we also plant churches and see people decide to follow Jesus all the time, usually after someone's healed or has an encounter with Jesus. The following took place a few weeks ago.

There was a powerful sorcerer by the name of Moussa in a village right by Dara, where we established a church. Everyone feared him and came to him for sorcery, making him a rich man. Then his neighbor, a widow, became a believer and became strong in the Lord. Moussa was not happy about that and started doing sorcery against her and against Paul and all the believers. Again and again he did his sorcery, but it was powerless, which startled him. He tried everything he knew to do, but to no avail. One day he had a vision, while trying once again to use his powers against his neighbor. A man in white came to him and told him to stop doing sorcery against his neighbor. He said that she was protected by him, then he said that his name was Jesus.

After the vision, Moussa decided to tell his neighbor about it. He also told her that his sorcery tools had stopped working altogether, not just against her and the Christians, but against everyone. Paul then came to see Moussa and prayed with him to become a follower of Jesus. Moussa wanted to follow the One who had more power than the spirits he was serving before and proved it, when he burned all his magic tools. His wife also became a Christian. Moussa’s sister who lives close-by and who was as afraid of her brother as everyone else, was so impressed with what had happened that she also wanted the serve the One who was able to change her brother’s life around. Only her husband is not happy about that and still needs prayer to also find the Truth.

CONSTRUCTION ABOUT TO CONTINUE

Five years ago construction on our fourth building came to an abrupt halt due to our neighbors' intervention. We had a new builder who had come highly recommended, but who had not taken care of the necessary permits to build which we were unaware of, as our previous builder had always taken care of it. And so our long ordeal started. It took us years and lots of money to get the necessary permits. Once we had them, we thought that construction was finally gonna continue but that was not the case. It turned out that our builder had spent all our money he had still had. He kept promising us that he was gonna replace it upon completion of other projects and continue with our building, but time kept passing and nothing was happening. We finally gave up, even though we still hope and pray he'll return our money to us at some point.

We then found a good, new builder who's been working on another paper we weren't aware that we still needed to continue construction. We're supposed to get this paper this week. He's also been working on an estimate on how much it will cost to finish the building that he's about to present to us. As some walls have fallen in, and as prices have doubled and tripled in the past five years, we're bracing ourselves for a high number.

What's this building for? To start with, the boys' dorm is going to move into this building, which makes room for Paul and his family to move back onto our base, which is very urgent. It will also have enough room for us to start our elementary school. In the long run, the building is for our businesses and workshops, and visitors' rooms on top.

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/.

•        Rainy Season - Right now it's rainy season in Mali, where many villages are cut off because the roads are under water. The streets around our base are also under water for much of the time, which destroys the ramp to our gate and into our base. Paul had just had it repaired, when the next rain came and washed it all away.

•        New Car - Our car is constantly on the road, transporting people or rice, in a very harsh climate and on bad roads. We invest a lot of money into maintenance to keep it going as long as possible, but car repairs are becoming more and more frequent and expensive. We've started to pray for a new car, which does not just cost a lot of money, but you need to find a reliable seller and then have a lot of administrative costs.

•        Triplets - In June Tammy and Emmy had their first concert playing the piano and showing off what they had learned. They also performed a dance at a theater. Their classes are now on summer break, until their busy schedule starts again in September. Sammy still has a few horse therapy sessions left this summer, before physiotherapy starts again.

•        This Summer - Since Randy is in the process of renewing his permit to stay in Austria, we had to stay in Vienna in case they request any additional papers. We did a short ministry trip within Austria, which was great, but my heart is yearning to go to the ocean for a week, for a real vacation. Please pray for Randy to give his green light for that. Pray also for his permit. As it is, the kids have done some sport camps, when they don't go to kindergarten, and I'm busy teaching online.

•        Healing Needed - I've had a latent eye condition all my life that became acute a few months after the triplets' birth, during the first lockdown. It makes me go cross-eyed, causing double-pictures and headaches if it goes on for a long time. It has made life difficult and also embarrassing in the past 4+ years. Please pray for healing.

•        Malian Director Paul - Please pray for Paul who carries the full weight of the work in Mali on his shoulders. Pray also for his safety as he moves around a lot, while jihadists are increasing their attacks everywhere.

I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:18)

Trusting HIM,

Claudia (& Randy)