An encouragement has been to see the enthusiasm of the ladies in the nomad camp in wanting to learn to read. Even if they can’t make it to class they come to see me or when I visit they want to practice or catch up on what they missed.
A discouragement was having arguments between students erupt in class on two separate occasions. On the second I had to pack up because teaching became unrealistic. Please pray for a way forward in this.
An encouragement has been the warm welcome and developing relationships in the camp.
A discouragement has been the getting to and from. It is now taking 2.5hrs to wait for vehicle.
An encouragement is that the road is now paved and smooth and it only takes about 40mins once the vehicle is moving (and in good condition).
A challenge was going to visit a lady who had just given birth to a baby. This involved walking across a sand dune in the sun, and wind for an hour and a half.
An encouragement was the people’s reaction to me actually doing it.
A challenge was finding H when she moved from the camp into town.
An encouragement was sitting reading with her short stories and having a number of other ladies in the neighbourhood ask if I could teach them to read.
The challenge is that this will need to wait for a while as I don’t currently have enough time in the week. But hopefully we can see something happen in a couple of months.
An encouragement has been reading with S and J in the prison. Almost as I arrive J is sitting next to me wanting to continue in Genesis and wanting to keep reading more chapters than we have time for.
Another encouragement was meeting the relative of another lady in prison who saw us reading. She also wants to read. So we read the first chapter that day. The next day I visited her at her home and in front of others she asked if I had brought the book, then read two chapters.
A discouragement was going yesterday and finding that she wasn’t home. Please pray for wisdom and a way forward with this lady who is keen to read. Also pray for an openness in her family that they too will either want to listen or at least not be opposed.
A challenge is the weather. It is now +40C in my house during the day, +60C in the sun. It is also starting to get humid and so quite draining.
An encouragement is that I only have another 3 weeks and I will have a month’s holiday outside of Chad. I am really looking forward to this time where I can relax, sleep, recharge and be renewed. It is also planned that my mum will come and join me for a week of this which will be nice.
