Forward, by God's Grace!

November 18, 2022

Dear friends and family,

Our team of staff have decided to go out into the neighborhoods at least once a month and distribute tracts. It is an opportunity for each of us to get outside the compound with our families and to get acquainted with neighbors and others in the village. One recent Sunday we were able to distribute nearly 1000 tracts. Amazingly, many people in our own village do not yet know about our printing ministry, and discover surprises in the Scriptures as they read. Please pray for each page of literature distributed, and that the hearts of many will be touched with the message of truth.

Recently we invited the Chad Mission publishing director, Pastor Serge, to visit our ministry in Bere for an opportunity to discuss how we can work together to forward the publishing work in Chad. We had a good discussion for a day and a half and are looking forward to expanding our ministry in collaboration with the publishing department of the Mission.

Desert Tree Ministry sponsored a pastoral convention October 23-30 in Moundou, organized by the Chad Mission. Almost all of the pastors in the country (about 17) and some of their wives were able to meet together for training, encouragement, and social time. We pray that the pastors will return to their fields renewed and ready to continue their work with courage. Each pastor received a set of books addressing many topics including a Bible commentary, Evangelism, Stewardship, Family Life, Last Day Events, and many more.

I (Jonathan) traveled to Libreville, Gabon for the year-end Union meetings November 8-13. Five countries were represented there: Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. I really appreciate the new emphasis coming from the General Conference and Division level: Refocus on Mission. Hearing the devotional messages inspired me to renew my commitment to God and His work and to work faithfully for Him. I hope to be able to encourage our team in Bere to persist courageously and faithfully in the work that God has given us. I was able to present our ministry to the Union committee. One thing I shared in the meeting was our long-term goal of establishing a small printing ministry in each of the five countries in our Union. We have already begun to research the possibilities and pray to God for wisdom and resources to accomplish this goal.

We are excited to announce that the My Bible First! Kindergarten lessons will be released starting with the first quarter of 2023. It is being printed on our little two-color press, and church members will be able to subscribe as they do with the adult lesson.

Thank you for keeping our ministry in your prayers. Chad has gone through some difficult times politically and also because of severe flooding. God is in control.

If you would like to learn more about how you may help our work financially, please click the How to Help link at the top of the screen.

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