Back to Chad Soon

November 17, 2023

Dear friends and family,

Greetings! This furlough has stretched out longer than we planned due to the quantity of work that needed to be done for DTM here in the US. I (Jonathan) have been working long hours for DTM most days with an occasional break.   

One of the fun things/family outings we have done recently is taking a tour of Messiah’s Mansion, which is a life-size replica of the sanctuary that the Israelites built in the time of Moses. Another day we spent in Gatlinburg, TN, looking at artists/craftsmen blow glass, make candles, etc. And we have also enjoyed several hikes in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee.

Melody has been busy homeschooling Gideon and Liliana and gathering what is needed for the next 2-3 years in Chad. Eliora has learned to read and write the word “Jesus.”

But by far, most of my (Jonathan's) time has been spent researching and ordering supplies for the new printshops being established in the countries of Gabon and Cameroon. The items include paper folders, computers, paper cutters, staplers and all the cords and supplies that printing requires in countries of West Africa. It was also necessary to set up the computers and networks, install all the necessary software, and try everything out to be sure all things/items were working properly. This took a significant amount time, but this project was certainly easier to do here in the US where there is a reliable and stable Internet connnection.

This last week we have packed everything in cardboard boxes and built two crates. The one for Cameroon is traveling by ocean and the one for Gabon is traveling by air. Today, may parents took the pallets on their trailer and delivered them to the shipping company. The crate for Chad is started, but more supplies are en route, so that one will have to be sent later.

Please pray for safe travels for our family. We have purchased our tickets and plan to leave for Chad the week after Thanksgiving. Also please pray that the crates arrive safely in their respective countries. Thank you for your prayers and financial support in furthering the printing of gospel literature in West Africa. We appreciate very much each and every way you support us.

Upon returning to Chad, we plan to provide you with an update on what has been happening in our absence. Our team has continued printing, prison ministries, literature evangelism, translation, audio recording, and so much more. Stay tuned for our next update!

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

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