Onward in His Strength

May 7, 2024

Dear friends and family,

The last few months have been a flurry of activity. It seems as though there isn't enough time to write a newsletter! Today, we will give you a brief overview of some of the activities. Hopefully soon, we can follow up with more details on several of the projects. Looking back on the last few months, it is amazing to see how God is working!

• Joel, Service, and Amos are working as full-time pioneer literature evangelists. Please pray for them and the literature they are distributing.
• Timothy has been working on agriculture development.
• Much time has been consumed with organizing three pallets of printing equipment for three different countries in Africa. See the next three points for a few details.
• We are helping Promise set up "Jets of Light" ministry in the English-speaking part of Cameroon. He has recently received printing equipment as well as a pallet of machines and supplies.
• Thierry and I (Jonathan) just returned from a two-week trip where we helped the Gabon Mission to establish a small print shop for evangelism. Our work included installing and configuring the machines, organizing the workflow, and training lay members how to operate the machines.
• The pallet for Chad arrived while I was in Gabon. We have been busy unpacking that this week. Included on this pallet was another paper folding machine, several colors of ink, parts to repair broken machines, a digital piano for our family, and a few other personal items such as school books for homeschooling our children. We thank the Chad Mission for helping us to import this important pallet.
• The usual challenges continue such as high temperatures. The last few months have brought daily temperatures usually between 105°F and 110°F (no air conditioning in the house). Dust storms come and go. Breakdowns and repairs continue for both our Land Cruiser (we've had it about 10 years now!) and for various printing equipment. The Internet connection comes and goes. The Lord gives us strength to follow His calling!
• Our team canned somewhere around 350 quarts of mango sauce or chunks during three days this April. We are able to share some with the staff at the Bere Adventist Hospital. What a blessing to have fruit year-round!
• I visited the prison in Lai weekly for about three months this year, presenting one chapter a week of Steps to Christ. It was a privilege to study with people so eager to listen and learn. We were able to print and distribute about 300 copies of the chapter in booklet format each week. The Lord is opening the way for us to establish a lending library there in the prison!
• Construction continues on a staff house. It has three bedrooms and will include an office space and a rat-proof food storage room!

Know that your prayers and donations are much appreciated and needed.  We are thankful for each one of you who care.

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