letter to Rev. Mark Vaughn, VAI just got confirmation this am that the three men will definitely be going to the teacher training program next week. The letter, attached, in French, is a thanks for providing the cash for their travel and class fees and housing. Luc Kodjo, who wrote and signed it, is the high school psychology teacher who will be going along with David Sogoba of Campus Crusade, and Job Diarra an elementary teacher. I'm glad you all will be praying for them to better understand a Christian philosophy of teaching that the YWAM program offers in the next six weeks. YWAM gave us a minis-seminar last summer, first in my home, and then at the church for a day.
Several families of the Kayes church have asked the mission to help them set up a private Christain school in Kayes. This would be only the third or fourth in MALI other than Catholic schools! They formed an official association, Semeur (= seedsower) and have made application to the school department to open a school. They have even paid an architect out of their own dues for plans! They're hoping to open a pre-school this fall and add a grade a year! The UWM has agreed they can build on land of the mission, where I currently live actually, and we're welcoming this initiative of some of the most talented men of the church. We noticed they needed more understanding of what makes a school Christian so we suggested this YWAM program. Once they had the mini-seminar they we're very interested in the more complete program in Koutiala, the other side of MALI. So, off they go on the 15th until mid-Aug. PTL!
We'll be talking more about this project (among others) as we visit churches this year as it will demand quite a commitment form both the UWM and the Association Semeur to see it through. The total cost is far more than we've ever tried to see the Lord supply, well over $100,000, for construction and school supplies, so we need to find partners to help. I'm even dreaming that Teen Mission Intl, TMI, will accept to send a teen builders team over to help us once or twice. The Association Semeur has let us know they can manage the construction planning and work (some of them already have done such for other projects), so that is a load off my shoulders.
I'm also dreaming that some churches would accept to send some teachers along to help, in French, teach the kids over the next few years. The Mali church intends to supply all the teachers, but they wouldn't mind help from overseas. We'll be contacting French speaking churches in Switz, Belgium, and Quebec that we know, too. They also expect school fees to cover all the operational costs after an initial start up. One other neat aspect of their plans is that if there are profits from running the school they will use that for evangelism in the Kayes area!
Looking forward to chatting with you all,
God bless,
Jim & Jenn
UWM - MALI
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