Losing One of Our Four Muskateers

Thursday 16 October
Margaret Hull writes:

Hi everyone. There’s lots of activity here this morning. Barb is waiting for the rain to let up a little so that they can make the dash to Air France to weigh in and get boarding passes. Though the plane leaves only a bit before midnight to make its way up to Paris, check in is this morning.

We’re all sorry to see Becky go. She had a good ministry here and all the people have fallen in love with her. Because of her 34 years of teaching experience, being the mother of twins, and losing her husband to cancer six months ago, she has a lot of points of reference with these women.

Not only do we have to be flexible with the hours of electricity that we have, but in other things as well. Last evening at the widows’ meeting (which I hope to tell you about later) we made arrangement for eight women to come here to the mission and I would interview them, get their stories, and take pictures of them. We arranged that two would come two each day for four days. This morning six of them showed up, in the rain! So instead of finishing this blog, I’ll go do interviews.

Lois Wilson writes:

Excuse me…. It’s now Lois writing. My two visitors just left after a wonderful visit. Christine, my prayer partner at Bata, and Marcelline, head of the Bata pre-school. I had the privilege to teach both of these women and to see them both grow in the Lord by leaps and bounds. It’s been exciting to visit with them this week. They came to Bangui to take part in the Seminar taught by Becky Dick. Christine teaches adult women who are either still illiterate, or are beginner readers. Marcelline teaches the wee children of the Bible Institute students. Students bring their families when they come to study at Bible Institute for 3 yrs.

The reason for today’s visit was so Christine and Marcelline could spend time sitting with me to mourn my Mother’s death. I was in PA when my Mother went to Heaven October 2, 2007, but my family here in C.A.R. mourned as well. So today these dear sisters in Christ came to help “share my sorrow”. Such a wonderful family God has given me here in Africa.


Margaret Hull writes again
Margaret again. I wanted to tell you about our meeting with widows yesterday afternoon at Madame Zo Koe’s house. Almost all the ladies were already gathered in the shade on the north side of the house when we arrived. Small tables had been set with soft drinks, sandwiches, and thermoses of coffee and tea. We had barely gotten started when the sky darkened, the wind blew, drops began to fall, and we all dashed to the big porch to continue the meeting.

Becky’s testimony, as she shared her experiences as a widow, was especially effective. Barb had asked me to tell about widows in Portugal and the sadness in their lives, the way they wear their mourning clothes from the day of the husband’s death to the end of their own life, whether it be 10 years or 40, how they go to the cemetery every week to burn a candle and pray for his soul.

What a contrast there is between the widows of Portugal who live in the presence of death, and the widows of CAR who hang on to life! Later we heard testimonies of several of the women, and it was both heart-breaking and uplifting, to hear of their sorrows and yet their hope in the Lord. The meeting ended with a fantastically joyful time of singing, dancing, claping and giving of thanks.

Saturday & Tuesday Blog Entries - Margaret & Lois

Margaret Hull writes:

Saturday, October 11, 2008 Today was a warm day. Lois had her face in one of her two fans most of the time. At Margaret’s invitation four long time friends joined us for the mid-day meal. Baba Dibona and his wife Alice have been married for 54 yrs. He was a fantastic obstetrical nurse in the medical work here in the C.A.R. for many years, and his wife taught in many girls’ classes and camps with missionary ladies.

The other couple who came were young Dibona, also known as Dr. Dibona, and his wife Denise. They’ll celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in 09. Dr. D. treats PH-C orphans with much love. Wife Denise is a good teacher of Nutrition to the Fulani people. We enjoyed being with the older and the younger Dibona couples, people who serve the Lord with gladness.

Lois Wilon writes: Orphan Teacher Training Seminar

Tuesday, 14 October ……… Tonight we’re “resting up” after a full day of Seminar. Becky did a good job teaching activities to help young children learn different concepts. Following lunch we had a “practice” session. During the 2 day Seminar Margaret, Barb and Lois all had a part in putting Becky’s words into Sango so the 29 teachers could understand. It’s been two good days, but we’re really tired this evening.

Lois translating Becky's lesson. 29 teachers attended seminar.

God showed us again His faithfulness in giving help when needed. We’re having a nice rain as I write, so we should sleep well tonight. Rain often keeps the sounds from the street a little more subdued, making it easier to get a good night's sleep.

Sunday Worship Service -- Becky Dick

by Becky Dick

Today we worshipped with the Brethren at the Castors Grace Brethren Church. It was a wonderful experience to be here after hearing, knowing and praying about this area of Africa since I was a child.

We were greeted at the entrance to the church by a man in a uniform. Barb Explained he is a TTN (Soldier of the Good News) mens group. We were ushered to our bench by an older woman (see photo at right) who made sure that we and everyone else squeezed in -- with thousands of people needing to be seated, wasted space is not allowed! Our bench, which was about ten feet long, was filled with seven people.

The music was such a blessing. They had two choirs sitting on opposite sides of the podium. The pastor, Pastor Joseph Ndomale, shared the word from II Samuel 24:19-25.

Afterwards I was greeted in English by a gal that I knew in Winona Lake when she was a little girl! It was Pastor Ndomale's daughter. What a treat to meet her again after all these years!

We capped off the morning worship time with a trip to the Grand Cafe, a bakery/cafe. The coffee and tea were delicious as were the French pasteries. Of course, with our two-day teacher

seminar starting tomorrow, our conversation eventually turned to the lessons we'll be presenting. Please pray for our time with these orphan teachers -- we'll have 30+ teachers in our class.

GO Team Journal Entry: Marg Hull

October 10, Margaret Hull writes:

Pictured (l to r) Margaret Hull, Lois Wilson & Becky Dick

Here we are, Barb, Becky, Lois and Margaret, thankful that it is finally time to go to bed and we can begin to try to catch up on some of the sleep we missed over the past two days as we were en route to Bangui, Central African Republic. We’re so thankful that God brought us and all eleven of our checked trunks through safely, and that M. Zokoe, husband of Madame Alexandrine, (director of the Project Hope and Charité) was at the airport to hasten the processing of all that baggage.

I, Margaret, wasn’t prepared for the emotional bomb that would explode in my heart as we made our way into the city I had left in 1989 after 25 years of ministry in this country. I would miss seeing many dear friends who had died in the interim of my absence, and others who, because of the danger of travel, would not make the trip down to Bangui.

This afternoon we went out to the center to see and participate in Mme. Zo Kwe’s meeting with her groups, a combination of four of the total of eight orphan groups, which meet weekly for fellowship and encouragement. We were deeply impressed with the joy and well-being of the 200 children gathered there – their happy singing, their touching testimonies, even the obvious health of their bodies. They came by the dozens to shake our hands, to practice their English on us, and to crowd into the pictures we were taking. God is at work in the lives of these children.

I talked with one student, Mandaba, who on Monday will begin his 4th year of study at the Yaloke Christian High School. He told me that he is grateful to God and his sponsor for the possibility of studying at this fine school, and for the care he receives from the Project Hope and Charite. Barb told me that he is an excellent student, at the head of his class, with a clear Christian testimony. I thought, “What a worthwhile investment his sponsor has made.” But then I realized that every investment in the life of a child is a potentially eternal, greatly worthwhile investment. I’m anxious to meet my little gal, Josette, perhaps tomorrow.

I had the unexpected pleasure of talking with children and nephews and nieces of the people I had worked with years before; children who have become adults and are now living and working for God. For instance:

• Dibona Paul. He is the nephew of one of my favorite nurses, and was one of my medical students. He now serves as the doctor of the Project, and works in a surgical clinic here in Bangui.
  
• Elisabeth, daughter of Wieina, who was a nurse at Boguila for years and died a few years ago. She is a teacher in one of the Hand to Hand schools.

We are only one day into our adventure and have already seen so much. Our focus for this weekend is on a training seminar we are offering on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 13-14) to over 30 PHC teachers. It will be taught by Becky Dick, who taught young children for 35 years, and the rest of us will be helping with translating and leading discussions.

Level Two Teacher Training Completed in Bangui

This week five Project Hope & Charité Level II teachers met in Bangui, Central African Republic to receive training in preparation for opening school in October.

All of these teachers are part of the PHC's Hand in Hand Program, some traveling hundreds of miles to reach Bangui.

Each teacher taught a level 1 school last year.

PHC Center Buzzing With Activity

By Laura Engle

With the first day of the new school year quickly approaching, activity at the PHC orphan centre is really heating up! There are people of all ages, shapes and sizes here for various reasons.

DR. DIBONA
It was a regular day for Dr. Dibona seeing children and treating them as needed. He is always on call to do what needs to be done – buying medicine, giving vaccines, and even taking children to the hospital.

TEACHER TRAINING
In one of our upstairs classrooms we had training for the teachers of our Hand and Hand Schools. This week the 13 ‘students’ are getting trained to teach Level 1. Next week will be Level 2 and 3. Appolinaire (Academic Dean and teacher trainer) and Emmanuel (Hand and Hand coordinator) are teaching these weeks. They are starting out with the basics – I heard them singing the alphabet song! I am sure it will get harder.


HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMS
Downstairs the classroom was full with 35 students who were eager to take an entrance exam. These orphans are attempting to go the Christian high school up country in Yaloke. Mr. Laurent, the professor, was overseeing the exam. “We had 30 students last year from the PHC program and believe there is going to be more this year because of the generous people in America.” If a child passes this exam they will live in Yaloke and go to school. The housing arrangements are dorms and I know there is a lot of comradely going on after school hours.

Even though it was a little hectic Monday morning the busyness was a sure sign of life. Children are growing, teachers are learning, students are studying and all this is done in God’s love!

Summer School Has Ended

Summer school has come to an end!

It has been delightful to get to know some of the children a little better in our classrooms these last few months. I am also hoping they learned some things in the process! I enjoyed planning my teaching days and challenging the students who are on a variety of learning levels.



On our last day we had a little party. We had some popcorn and I gave each student a coloring book. They were overjoyed! We (all the students and I) were sad that this time had to come to an end. But the new school year will start again soon in October.