Still Waiting

Written by Jonathan DietrichJanuary 18, 2026

Dear friends and family,

Happy New Year to everyone! This is a short update with a few praises and prayer requests for you.

Travels Suspended

Many of you are aware of the various visa bans that have been multiplying in the previous weeks and months. The official position of Chad remains "no visas for Americans." We have submitted a petition and the process has been moving forward, but very slowly. Patience is hard but necessary to exercise at times. We keep getting encouraging news, then another challenge, then more encouraging news. It is hard to know whether to be optimistic or pessimistic.

I am writing this from America, as we have suspended our return tickets. As we still have a glimmer of hope to return, we have not made significant other plans. We will wait a little longer until the door seems definitely closed for the immediate future. If God wants us to return to Chad, we believe He will work a miracle. If His will is for us to establish publishing work in another country, we are willing to do that.

Many of you have asked questions.

• What about the work in Chad? It is God's work, and God's work does not fail. We have trained a number of people, and God can help them as He has helped us.
• Aren't you discouraged about the possibility of not returning? No, we trust in God's plan for us. He knows everything, and He is not surprised by this turn of events.
• Will you still have access to donations for Chad? Yes, Desert Tree Ministry is set up to be an international ministry. As it is, we are supporting work in Chad, Gabon, and Cameroon. Our long-term plan includes establishing publishing houses in additional countries.

So while our travels are suspended, they are not canceled! God's work is not canceled, either. Please pray earnestly with us that God will guide and direct our steps as we decide what to do next.

God's Protection

Just this December, Beni (our driver) was driving our Land Cruiser full of young Pathfinders to the regional camp meeting. On the way, the back tire suddenly exploded. He nearly lost control of the vehicle, but God helped him to bring it to a stop. It could easily have rolled and injured or killed numerous people. We praise God for His protection.

That evening, Beni returned home in the dark, exhausted. He was about to step into his house when he felt impressed to shine the flashlight in front of him. There was a snake, right at his doorstep.

Many times, Beni has sensed the enemy trying to do him harm or to stop God's work. We are thankful for Beni's attitude of faith and trust in God. No matter what happens, he desires to remain faithful to Jesus and to serve him.

That same evening, I (Jonathan) was driving home from a trip into town in Greeneville, TN. We were traveling about 55mph when a car suddenly, and without warning, swerved into our lane directly in front of our van in an attempt to turn onto another road. It was a near miss of several vehicles. We also praise God for His protection over us.

Two Pallets in Chad

The two pallets arrived, finally, in Chad! It's a long story, but here's the short version:

The pallets were shipped. They were not loaded on the cargo flight as planned and were delayed another week. They were to arrive in N'djamena on December 18. I understood that the paperwork arrived and proceeded to process the pallet through customs and security. After paying all the fees, I was informed that the pallets were nowhere to be found! Several times, people checked the warehouse at the airport. No pallets!

God knew where they were, but certainly we didn't! At one point it seemed like they ended up in South Africa. Then we got more information that they probably were unloaded in Nairobi, and then sent back to Belgium, and then back to N'djamena on January 5. Well, guess what? The pallets were still nowhere to be seen. A representative from the shipping company went to the warehouse, and the pallets were not there.

Finally, my friend called a friend who called a friend in Dubai who called his friend in N'djamena. Within a few minutes, I received an image of our pallets! They were still out on the tarmac at the airport. Thousands of dollars of ink and printers. Sitting in the full sun. Nobody had bothered to take them into the warehouse. All the while, customs paperwork had been done!

It was a number of days before the pallets were finally available to ship to Bere. Then the truck had a problem with its wheel. But at long last, the pallets arrived safely in Bere! We praise the Lord. He tests our patience and watches to see if we trust Him.

Prayer

I'll close this update by repeating myself. Please continue to pray. The harvest is vast but the workers are few. A family from a different country in Africa has contacted us and are interested to help with the work at the printshop. Is this God's answer to our prayers? Should we persist toward Chad, or should we consider other options such as Congo/Brazzaville or Senagal or ...?

One thing we know, and that is that God has a plan for us. We are confident in His plan. What a privilege it is to be a part of His work.

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In His service,
Jonathan, Melody, Gideon, Liliana, Eliora, and Malachi Dietrich