October newsletter

October 4, 2012
 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4.5.

Dear  Friends,

1/ This is a season of thanksgiving, and we begin with a note of thanks for your prayers for the situation in the Gambia. We are grateful for good discussions last weekend between Stan Wallace of IICS in Kansas City and the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Gambia. The door is open on the part of university administrators, and we pray for constructive involvement of North American academics at that university. The role of the Gambia Christian Council for the Program in Christian Studies still needs clarification, however, and we ask your ongoing prayers for that process.

2/ Your prayers for doctoral student Rebecca Dali are also being answered. Last year Rebecca’s husband Sam became Executive Secretary of the Church of the Brethren, and they now live in Mubi, in the north- eastern section of Nigeria, not far from Maiduguri, which is also the home base of Boko Haram. Troubles of the past months have resulted in malevolent destruction of strategic communications towers in that area, making phone and internet communications very difficult. But we did have a clear phone conversation this week, when Rebecca reported that approval of her dissertation for defense is moving along well. She also told of 27 students killed in a local university dormitory; 3 students were killed only a few days earlier. Whatever the specific cause, please pray for the families of these victims. Pray for peace and resolution of conflict in this region, and pray for the Lord’s special protection for Sam and Rebecca, since their work in the area requires considerable traveling.

3/ We want to ask your special prayers for Harro van Brummelen, who has so ably served as executive director of CSI for the past few years. Aside from his position at Trinity Western University (Langley BC), Harro is well known in the wider Christian community, in Canada and beyond, for his work in Christian education. A few weeks ago Harro was surprised to learn that his severe back pain was caused by spinal cancer, and by that time it had already spread to the point where it is difficult to control. Please uphold  Harro and his family in your prayers, that they may know the Lord’s never-failing care and love in this difficult situation. Pray for relief from the pain, and wisdom for doctors as they make decisions regarding optimum care.