December Prayer Letter

Dear Prayer Supporters,

Greetings from France! This will be my last prayer letter from Bordeaux, because in just a few short weeks, I'll be boarding a plane to go to Chad; not for a short missions trip or survey visit, but to really live there! I'm thrilled to be almost on my way, but I know there will be so much to learn as I settle into life in Africa. Thank you for praying for me during this time of transition.

Language School - Finished!

Last Friday, I finished my formal French language studies here at the University of Bordeaux. There was no graduation ceremony or commencement address, but that didn't take away any of the joy in completing another important milestone, as I handed in my last exam and left the building for the last time. I've learned so much here - and not only about the French language! I've also learned a lot as I've interacted with my professors and classmates at the university. I'm thankful for the opportunities the Lord has given me to share a little about Him with my fellow students between classes. Pray that the Lord will work in their hearts and bring people into their lives who share the gospel with them.

Moving to Chad 

With my departure for Chad now less than two weeks away, the task of packing is now in full swing, and I am busy trying to fit everything into my suitcases! Praise the Lord that I received my visa in good order a few weeks ago, so all the paperwork is ready for me to fly out in a couple weeks. I'll be taking the train to Paris on the morning of December 30, then late in the evening, I will catch an overnight flight to N'Djamena (the capital of Chad) with a few hours' layover in Addis Ababa (the capital of Ethiopia). A coworker will pick me up in N'Djamena on December 31 and we will travel together to my new home in Balimba, a village near the city of Sarh in the south of the country (a full day's drive from the capital). Please pray for good traveling weather and smooth connections throughout my journey. Please pray for me as I make the transition into life in Chad.

New Ministries Ahead 

Over the next year, I will be settling into life in Africa, becoming involved in the Bible translation work and other ministries, and continuing to improve my French skills. Also, one of my tasks for this first year in Chad will be to study one of the local languages with which we are currently working. The language I will be working with is called Sara Kaba Dem. The New Testament has already been translated into Sara Kaba Dem, and Bibles International is currently translating the Old Testament. There is still much work yet to be done before it is complete. Please pray for encouragement and strength for the translators, the missionaries and local Christians who assist them, and for me as I study their language and become better acquainted with the translation project and the translators. Pray that good progress would be made in the translation.

In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell