Wrights Broadcasting Truth to Niger, Fall 2010

“For they got not the land in possession by their own sword,

neither did their own arm save them:

but thy right hand, and thine arm,

and the light of thy countenance,

because thou hadst a favour unto them.”

~ Psalm 44:3

The Psalms are an interesting collection of writings – some beautiful and lyrical, some prophetical, some raw and emotional and others a combination of any or all of the above. Reading through them recently, something about this particular psalm struck a chord. The psalmist first boasts in the Lord, recognizing some of the many ways God had been good to Israel in the past, ways He had cared for His chosen. But then he admits feeling forsaken and perplexed, not understanding why, when he and his people were serving God, the Lord had not given them victory in a very present trouble, their current battle. Finally, he returns to the fact that even when he doesn’t understand, he can trust in the fact that God will help… and that sometimes true victory emerges from those initial depths of defeat.

This psalm really resonates right now. We are so thankful to be back in Niger. Home… once again immersed in ministries we love with people we’ve grown to love, catching up with those our hearts have ached to see during the past year of home assignment, knowing we are exactly where God wants us to be and doing what He has called us to do. NOTHING could be better. Yet at the same time, we’ve experienced some discouraging defeats, small and large battles where we thought the victory was sure, areas where we thought we’d done all we’d could, all the right things with hearts and attitudes pure before the Lord… yet… there are some things about this transition back to the field that have left us feeling “trounced.” Nevertheless, by His grace, we continue to place our hope in the Lord and we know that He has guaranteed triumph in the end!

A Whole Lot of Hammerin’ Goin’ On!

One huge victory we’ve experienced is watching the addition to the studio move forward every day! After a year of wondering whether we’d have the funds to return to the field, it overwhelms to see that our amazing God provided not only those, but also the monies necessary to build this addition and with very little effort on our part - as we were concentrating on monthly support.

The walls are up, the roof is on… soon the floor will be poured. Tim’s busy making plans and thinking through how everything will be set up… he’s been doing research on how to get the best acoustics out of the building. It is exciting to think about all of the potential and the way that God will use this building to proclaim His salvation and His glory throughout W. Africa!

Thank you, so very much, to all of you who’ve given to this project, and to Chris Marine, our regional coordinator, for all his work and on-going supervision!

And FYI… just in case you were curious… here are a few of the radio program topics slotted for the upcoming weeks and months – all focusing on the Miracles of Jesus:

~Changing the water into wine (Jn 2)~

~Healing the Capernaum nobleman’s girl (Jn 4)~

~Raising the widow’s daughter (Lk 7)~

~Calming the storm (Matt 8)~

~Healing the woman with an issue of blood (Matt 9)~

~Raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11)~

~Walking on water (Matt 14)~

The Center for Academic Progress

Richelle has stepped into a new role this year... well, sort of... actually, it is an old role (teacher of students with special needs) that had been put aside for awhile while she was busy being wife and mama to this fabulous crew the Lord has given.

For several reasons, last spring we started praying about her involvement with Sahel Academy. She’d helped teach and coordinate their swimming/water polo phys ed program for 4 years and loved that. She’s also consulted on particular cases where the administration felt her background in special education would benefit. But the Lord slowly impressed upon her heart - and then confirmed through the support of Tim, our regional coordinators and an amazing congruence of vision with the school administrative team - that now was the time for her to become more directly involved with Sahel.

One of the huge challenges at a mission school like Sahel is meeting the needs of an incredibly diverse student population consisting primarily of TCKs (or third culture kids) with limited resources, people and material - all the while living in a place where just the daily demands of life that had seemed so easy to meet just a few short months ago living in Michigan, are now exhausting...

• These kids come from many different language and cultural backgrounds - fitting the description of "English language learners:" the school has stopped referring to ESL (students learning English as a second language) because reality is that for many of the students, English is a third... fourth... fifth language.
• Expat children often move every 2-3 years, changing schools, school systems and curriculum with different scopes and sequences, still trying to meet differing graduation/college entrance requirements from universities all across the globe. This often leaves gaps and holes in their education that need to be addressed... or juniors and seniors scrambling for the credits they need to move into post-secondary life.
• Kids learn in so many different ways; no one questions that some do not best benefit from the traditional classroom experience the way they would learn, grow and advance given hands on opportunities. Yet with limited personnel, how do you best attend to those needs?
• And, of course, children have other unique learning needs, strengths and challenges, all of which need to be addressed if we want to fulfill the biblical command to "train up a child in the way that he should go.

Knowing this and contemplating the fact that we have at least two of our own children seem to learn best outside the norm of what schools traditionally offer… and who will potentially attend Sahel Academy at some point in the future… now seemed the perfect time for her to get involved, helping the team of staff at Sahel build a program to best try and address the special (and wonderful) needs of their beautifully varied student population.

Praises

1. We are finally feeling settled in our house, finally starting to find some sort of weekly routine.
2. All of the kids are back in school and now seem to be doing well. Anna had a rough transition (getting sick with malaria didn’t help), but things seem to be going well. Jonathan is doing fabulously with the French!
3. Nadia and Elsie Mae have started home schooling with Richelle; Nadia is a delightful big sis as she learns more about caring for kids and home while Elsie Mae and Mary Michelle make every day interesting and mostly fun.
4. Studio construction moving right along!
5. Although it is a lot of hard and exhausting work, Richelle is thoroughly enjoying not having house help and being the one to take care of her family.

Petitions

1. Continued safety and progress on studio construction.
2. Eternal fruit from the current radio series on the Miracles of Jesus.
3. The people of Niger – between floods and famine, the people of this country are facing overwhelming difficulty in the struggle to survive. Pray that God uses this and those serving here for His honor, His glory, the demonstration of His grace and the salvation of souls.
4. Tim’s made his first trip out to the Baneira group of churches – they actually have a couple of Gourmantche pastors working out there, now. Pray as they determine how to best continue to work together.
5. Continue to remember our children, especially Anna, as they head off to school each morning.

Thankful to be serving our Lord together with you,

Tim, Richelle,

Brendan, Rebekah Joy, Nadia, Anna, Victoria, Jonathan,

Elsie Mae & Mary Michelle Wright

Multitude Monday ~ 1000 Gifts

"There are two ways to live your life.

One is as if nothing is a miracle, the other is as if everything is."

~ today, by God's grace, I'm choosing the latter ~

#400 Pringles for a snack treat...for breakfast...

#401 packages from home

#402 little girl dressing up like Dora

#403 not quite two year old who can "la-la" to the tune of "Before the Throne of God Above...," and does, often all day long

#404 tears that fall at sweet memories

#405 potty training

#406 rainy nights, even when that means crawling out of bed to hurriedly pull drying laundry down

#407 the quietness and simplicity of hanging laundry on a line... and then waiting for it to dry... reminding me of meditating on Scripture and waiting for the Holy Spirit to softly speak

#408 birthday parties with friends and friends who have become family

#409 teens leading worship

#410 construction projects that are moving along

#411 new friends and colleagues

#412 rough transitions beginning to smooth

#413 malaria prophylactics ~ as bitter as they are to swallow, they offer a measure of protection

#414 water held back, finally receding, at least for a time

#415 dikes that hold

#416 fresh watermelon with the seeds

#417 sweet midnight snuggles and cuddles

#418 computer chats that bring a smile, even while in the same house, just different rooms :-)

#419 just saying "hi!" - even if there's no time for more than that

#420 email conversations throughout the day

#421 new dresses picked out by Daddy

#422 homemade orange sherbert

#423 Ranch dressing packets(of the Hidden Valley Ranch variety) shared, just for Tim... Yes! we have amazing friends!!!

#424 crockpots for when there are no gas bottles in town

#425 quiet laughter shared late at night over something one or more of the kids have done... shared with that guy who still makes my heart flutter...

Found the picture on-line, on a web site dealing with meditation (and not one that I could recommend), but could not find a copyright notice or to whom I should give credit... yet thought it fit the quote above.

Beautiful Words

...from my current "favorite" book,

by David Jeremiah.

Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.

Grace provides a ram in the thicket.

Mercy runs to forgive the Prodigal Son.

Grace throws a party with every extravagance.

Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by robbers.

Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.

Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.

Grace promises paradise that very day.

Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.

Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.

Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.

Grace calls him to be an apostle.

Mercy saves John Newton from a life of rebellion and sin.

Grace makes him a pastor and author of a timeless hymn.

Mercy closes the door to hell.

Grace opens the door to heaven.

Mercy withholds what we have earned.

Grace provides blessings we have not earned.

I'm learning 1001 ways...

...to use eggplant. Head on over to "Deep Purple..." This page is a pretty fun read, especially if you are amused by a tongue in cheek sort of humor.

*tiny excerpt*

"When it comes to eggplant, I gotta say you can never have too much. Why? Well I can't think of another piece of produce on earth that can be cooked by every single cooking method around, wet or dry. Not even the potato can say that. Of course there's another reason to appreciate the eggplant, everybody but us does. I mean every culture on earth practically holds this thing in high esteem. What do they know that we don't? Well that when treated with a little understanding and patience, the eggplant is definitely good eats."

Unfortunately, although eggplant is plentiful in Niamey right now, my family is not overly fond of this berry... in fact, it might be the only berry they don't like. I've been trying some different recipes (favorites have been Eggplant/Zucchini Bolognaise and Moussaka is tolerable... Brendan and I like it breaded and fried... Tim and I like baba ganoush...) my gang was delighted to read to the end of "Deep Purple." If you read that far, you'll see why!

Transitions

The last few months have been full of transition for our family... Please join me over at Missionary Moms as I share what God has been teaching...

Another "New" Opportunity

~ and this one is totally, truely and completely new for me... not something I've ever done before!

One of the blogs I read regularly is called "Missionary Moms," and is, accordingly, a blog seeking to minister to and encourage moms serving on the mission field at home and abroad.

I was suprised, but very happy, when a few months ago, I was asked to become one of the contributing writers. And, as of yesterday, I've now been officially introduced on the blog!

I share this with y'all - even though many of you aren't missionaries, some of you are, and for the rest, if you wanted to head over and check out the blog from time to time, it might give you some ideas for how you can pray for your missionary friends --- ladies trying to find that same balance between wife, mom and home responsibilities as well as serving and ministering to others in their communities... except often they get to do so in a different language, a foreign land or a befuddling culture.

A Title that Definitely Caught my Eye

The Devil in Pew Number Seven

A true story of the horrors endured by a country preacher and his family at the hands of a greedy, controlling, evil and power-hungry man, the events that transpired during the author's (Rebecca Nichols Alonzo, co-written with Bob DeMoss) early and formative years will leave you wondering at the evil man inflicts upon his fellow man. The story itself is incredible and carefully documented, although the writing style seemed overly melodramatic and I often found it annoying. Thus it was a difficult book to wade through. God's grace exhibited through the perserverence, gentleness and forgiveness of this family, however, is unmistakeably imprinted on almost every page; therefore I am glad I read the book, continuing to the end.

Hands down, my favorite part of the book was the last chapter, "No Apologies in Heaven," as Mrs. Alonzo shares important biblical truths that she has learned, lived and continues living, all about forgiveness. These few pages were delightfully written, beautifully and simply expressed, and are probably pages to which I will return again and again. Thus, while I give the book as a whole a 3 out of 5 star rating, I do highly recommend it - especially for anyone dealing with the issues of forgiveness, mercy and the gift of God's grace.

Favorite Quotes

• "Forgiveness is the language of heaven....Jesus wants us to be fluent in speaking forgiveness to one another. He wants forgiveness to be on the tip of our tongue, rather than something we begrudginly offer after weeks, months, or even years of rubbing the offense in the face of the culprit before doling out a reluctant, 'I forgive you.'" (p. 246)
• "Peter, a follower of Jesus, once tried to pin down Jesus on this 'requirement' of forgiving someone who has wronged him. Peter asked, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' I'm a lot like Peter. I like specifics. you tell me I've got to forgive others, then I'd like to know what a reasonable number is. Surely there's a limit, right? Seven sounds reasonable; it's much more generous than the 'three strikes and you're out' rule."
"Watch how Jesus answers Peter: 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:22, NASB). I'm tempted to do the math. I've got my pen and notepad out with a series of little marks grouped in units of five so I can easily keep track of my progress. Let's see, over the last three decades I've forgiven Mr. Watts 475 times... 480... 485..."
"I'm pretty sure that's not what Jesus had in mind."
"I think Jesus was saying that you and I should forgive so many times that it becomes second nature to us. If forgiveness is the language of heaven, then forgiveness should be a way of life for me. Notice, I didn't say it should be easy. It's not. I won't sugarcoat it for you. In my case, I'm tempted to protest and say, 'But, Lord, I'm on number 489. Will I still have to forgive Harris in my heart after forgiving him 490 times?"
"Frankly, I've missed His heart if that's my thinking."
"It's not about counting; it's about grace."
"God will never say it's okay not to forgive."
"Personally, I want forgiveness to become my heavenly habit, not an obligation. There's a big difference. The first approach reflects a lifestyle that flows from God's kingdom and changes my way of operating in all my earthly relationships...." (pp.247-248)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

An Update on Anna

If you follow any of our family on Facebook, you'll know that Anna has had a few bumps in her road as she has started a new school year. And as we've asked for prayer, for all the kids but specifically for her, we wanted to give everyone an update.

She seemed to have a good start, but into the second week, once dictation exercises began, she started struggling with anxiety issues and I knew she wasn't happy. Then, on the fourth day, we received a phone call from the school; she was feeling sick and was crying... could we come and get her. Long story short, a combination of fear and malaria had rocked her world. Frankly, the malaria was the easier of the two to treat (although both caused my heart to ache... we've already had a good scare with Anna and malaria a few years back).

God has taken care of the harder treatment! We are so thankful for God's graciousness, His Holy Spirit who has strengthened and encouraged the heart of our girl, relationships the Lord has allowed us to build during our years in Niamey ~ which led the folks at the school to listen with open ears and open hearts, and the prayers of so many, literally all over the world, along with their kind words of letting her know they cared. All of these things seem to have carried her along. She's survived those first bumps and now, authentically, seems to be enjoying school... not just putting on a brave face for her mama and daddy.

Thanks so much... and when you think of her, keep on praying!

Almost Wordless Wednesday ~ Can you imagine a "Senior Canoe Trip" that included THIS!

I remember, when I first saw these photos last spring, thinking "I hope my kids get to have a senior trip like this someday!"

Note: All photos taken by those actually on the senior trip... not sure who took what. Amazing, aren't they?

~ photos from a picnic ~

Sahel Academy kicked off its new school year with a picnic. And, of course, our children were delighted to be there. One of my new friends and colleagues, Katherine (and that's Katherine, not spelled with a "y!") snapped (or allowed one of my wild ones) to snap, the following photos. I thought most of them were super cute, so here they are!

Katherine is working for me in the Center for Academic Progress... in fact, because I'm only part-time at the school, she's carrying the bulk of the load of time with students and she's doing an awesome job... and she and I are both going to pick up a few more responsibilities as the other lady working with us in the Center had now been moved to a different position!

I've been enjoying getting to know her...

...maybe almost as much as Elsie Mae!

Et voilà!

the rest of the photos

(yes... Jon found a ruler which doubles as a sword in many of these images)

in search of water on a hot evening

the mighty toad hunters

she really does love her big sis

Multitude Monday ~ 1000 Gifts ~ Our Church in Niger

A week ago Sunday, once again sitting outside the church building with Mary Michelle because she'd had enough of the long (and to her, monotonous) Sunday school and worship service time, I was really struggling with my attitude towards some of the things about life and church attendance in Niger that are just hard ... and some of the parts that are just different ... for whatever reason. In particular and top on my list of "complaints" was a church oriented towards adults and men, where women often find it challenging to worship with their whole hearts because they are so distracted by all the little ones running around, their position in this society and the amazing amount of things they have to accomplish each day just to survive...

My attitude was horribly wrong and I threw thankfulness and gratitude out the window for those moments... I made an awful choice regarding that on which I was focusing. I've confessed that and asked forgiveness... and I've consciously asked God to show me the things for which I should be thankful, the beautiful things about His church, His bride ~ for whom He gave His life ~ here in Niger... in particular our little church on the back side of the Niger River (which, thankfully, has not had any issues with flooding as of yesterday).

#388 about 40-50 friends (including a large number of young adult men) who consistently come to church, some walking quite a distance

#389 an older lady in the church, everyone calls her "Mama," and she always wears the most beautiful smile, she always remembers reasons to praise the Lord

#390 our Pastor, who, as Brendan said the first time we ever attended church there, preaches like "he really means it," with all his heart and when you hear his testimony, you know he does because he has sacrificed much

#391 I am grateful for and humbled by his desire to continually be growing and improving, deepening his knowledge of the Holy One and all things required to become a better pastor and teacher of God's Word

#392 our Pastor's Wife - she certainly does not fit the typical stereotype of a previously "oppressed" woman living in this land - she's beautiful inside and out, educated, articulate, passionate and very happy to share what she thinks and believes. Her heart hurts for her people who do not yet know the Way, the Truth and the Life and for those who just hurt because life in Niger is hard

#393 I also delight in how "Tantie" teases and plays with my girls and how they love her right back. Because of her "investment," going to church (even on the days when everything happens in Yoruba and Zarma because there is no translation to French), they have something to look forward to

#394 a grandmother I can never forget and her petite Salamatou who fight for life and their daily existence with a determination to survive like none other, who every Sunday enjoyed their friendship with Elsie Mae and who both greet the world with a ready smile (sadly, we've not seen them since our return to Niger and no one knows exactly what has happened, where they are)

#395 the worship service ~ praise and worship in an authentic African service is like nothing I've ever experienced in the States

#396 a solid cement building with fans, metal pews and "facilities...," rarities for most churches here

#397 a shade tree outside the building for when, after a few hours, our little munchkin decides she can no longer sit still or relatively quietly on Mama's lap

#398 dedicated men and women in the church who use their gifts to serve... be it in the chorale, playing the drums, tambourine or keyboard, teaching, preaching, translating, helping exhausted attenders stay awake and focus on absorbing God's Word or filling the water bucket so there's something to drink on the really hot days...

#399 family, brothers and sisters in Christ who've welcomed us and who allow Tim and myself... and now hopefully Brendan and Rebekah... an opportunity to serve and teach

Can you believe

this beautiful little gal turns four, today??!!

The day this sweet, snuggly, dramatic, mischevious jokster, fun-loving songbird of a drama-queen princess entered our family, our world became a more beautiful one. We are so thankful for her and just overwhelmed that God chose to bless us with such an amazing gift!

Happy Birthday, Elsie Mae!

"Lead Me"

I usually try and work a couple of days ahead on our blog... blogging, for me, is not only fun, but it is also therapeutic as I often process things through writing. Guess, in a sense, this is my journal. So, tonight I started working on another one of those "Lost" photo blogs I've been doing... editing photos, deciding which ones to use. I came across an absolutely precious photo of Tim and Elsie Mae, cuddled up together on the couch early on Christmas morning last year.

At the same time, Tim was playing his guitar, following along with the song "Lead Me," ...thinking about the words, listening to him play... my heart was touched. Some of you may already know and like that song... others might not or might prefer a different style of music... but I love the prayer expressed in these words...

I look around and see my wonderful life

Almost perfect from the outside

In picture frames I see my beautiful wife

Always smiling

But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

"Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone"

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes

They're only children from the outside

I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine

They're in independent

But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

"Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone"

So Father, give me the strength

To be everything I'm called to be

Oh, Father, show me the way

To lead them

Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands

To stand up when they can't

Don't want to leave them hungry for love,

Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight

And give them the best of my life

So we can call this our home

Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

I'm so thankful... for I do know this is Tim's prayer. He's an awesome man and incredible daddy and I hope I'm always overwhelmed by the fact that he chose me.

Looking for a Yardstick

I'm definitely one of those people who naturally measure success by how much I've done and how well I’ve met up to often unrealistic standards of what I believe I should (more accurately “wish” I could) have accomplished; another strong barometer of success for me is the praise or words of affirmation of those around me… Does someone, anyone, notice how much I’ve accomplished? How well or thoroughly it has been completed? And, do they appreciate it... at least enough to tell me?

I was recently challenged to consider my definition of a successful day, and since both of the above evaluative measures are not biblical, I’m now in the process of trying to retrain my thinking - hoping the “feeling” will trail along behind - by asking myself the following questions when it comes to determining my success:

1) When I come to the end of the day, can I say, “Lord, to the best of my ability, I’ve done everything as unto You, and in those areas where I failed, I’ve already repented and asked forgiveness from You and others?”

2) Has the focus of my time been psent on serving and loving others, investing in their lives… or has it been spent serving and loving myself (granted that a certain amount of time does need to be spent on self… but that time seems to come so much more naturally; the other is rarely so automatic)?

3) Have I been gentle, kind, patient, slow to anger, thankful, joyful, peaceful, content and positive with my words and actions… recognizing that my thoughts aren’t always on target, but that I do have the choice of what to do with wrong thinking before it becomes wrong words or actions?

And even just today, as I've continued to reflect, pray and listen, God has pointed out one more yardstick that I can use:

4) Have I gently and contentedly accepted God's sovereignty over that day, for all those times when my plans had to bend or change completely because God's agenda is obviously quite different from the one I concocted for the day?

This all sounds so nice on paper… I wish it were that easy to accomplish and by God's grace and mercy, I will find that I eventually have more successful days than the alternative... but I think the last part is recognizing that on those days where I can answer yes or mostly yes to those four questions, it was only by the grace of God and His Spirit working and changing me.

So... what's your yardstick? How do you measure success in your life?

yardstick photo: ohdeedoh.com tape measure photo: blog.taigacompany.com

The Center for Academic Progress

I've stepped into a new role this year... well, sort of... actually, it is an old role (teacher of students with special needs) that had been put aside for awhile while I was busy being wife and mama to this fabulous crew the Lord has given me.

For several reasons, last spring we started praying about my involvement with Sahel Academy. I'd helped teach and coordinate their swimming/water polo phys ed program for 4 years and loved that. I've consulted on particular cases where the administration felt my background in special education would benefit. But the Lord slowly impressed upon my heart - and then confirmed through the support of Tim, our regional coordinators and an amazing congruence of vision with the school administrative team - that now was the time for me to become more directly involved with Sahel.

One of the huge challenges at a mission school like Sahel is meeting the needs of an incredibly diverse student population consisting primarily of TCKs (or third culture kids) with limited resources, people and material - all the while living in a place where just the daily demands of life that had seemed so easy to meet just a few short months ago living in Michigan, are now exhausting...

• These kids come from many different language and cultural backgrounds - fitting the description of "English language learners:" the school has stopped referring to ESL (students learning English as a second language) because reality is that for many of the students, English is a third... fourth... fifth language.
• Expat children often move every 2-3 years, changing schools, school systems and curriculum with different scopes and sequences, still trying to meet differing graduation/college entrance requirements from universities all across the globe. This often leaves gaps and holes in their education that need to be addressed... or juniors and seniors scrambling for the credits they need to move into post-secondary life.
• Kids learn in so many different ways; no one questions that some do not best benefit from the traditional classroom experience the way they would learn, grow and advance given hands on opportunities. Yet with limited personnel, how do you best attend to those needs?
• And, of course, children have other unique learning needs, strengths and challenges, all of which need to be addressed if we want to fulfill the biblical command to "train up a child in the way that he should go."

Knowing this and contemplating the fact that we have at least two of our own children who seem to learn best outside the norm of what schools traditionally offer and who will potentially attend Sahel Academy at some point in the future, now seemed the perfect time for me to get involved, helping the team of staff at Sahel build a program to best try and address the special (and wonderful) needs of their beautifully varied student population.

Thus, the Center for Academic Progress was born. It is kind of funny... Tim and I have always joked about being on a "two-year-plan," as the Lord has, up to this point, seen fit to grow our family with one more child just shy of every two years. Well, there's no new little Wright foreseen... (a good thing too, as Mary Michelle is in no way ready to relinquish the post) and that little munchkin is rapidly approaching her second birthday. This program - its development, coordination and implementation - is my new "baby," one of my priorities this term.

If the Lord leads you to pray for me, please pray that I will be God-directed in the time I devote to this ministry opportunity. We are convinced that God has directed my involvement. However, God, Tim and our beautiful, wonderful children are still my priorities. As a family, we've decided to not engage someone to help with the house, I'm truly delighting in serving my family through all the everyday things moms traditionally do and everyone else (even Jonathan and Elsie Mae) is pitching in; I do hope and pray to resume teaching monthly ladies' bible studies if our pastor and his wife feel that is a need. I'm also continuing, albeit slowly, to learn the Zarma language - mostly through visiting friends and listening at church. I'm so thankful for the team of teachers and volunteers that God had already called together to work in the Center, even before I knew He was leading me this way. We truly want to see this program grow into something that God can use to encourage and minister to students, their parents and the staff of Sahel Academy.

Thanks, in advance, for each time you lift our family and God's work here among the people of Niger before His throne.

---------------------------------------

All photos from Sahel Academy website.