African Drumbeat-August, 2014

Al Hawthorne, Director
Peg Seitz, Assistant Director
This month I write to you from Bangui, Central Africa Republic. It is a country that has been at civil war for
nearly two years now. But it is improving and there is a spirit of cautious hope.
It is so hard to express the feeling of attending todays church service that is held weekly in the training
center of ACATBA, our national Bible translation partner. Because WA got involved nearly four years ago
and built the addition of the main training hall, this church of over 80 believers, was able to praise and
worship God in this room. It was bittersweet to experience the joys of worship in song and praise but then
to hear the testimony of persecution and injury to several who suffered at the hands of other, including
one woman who was injured on the way to this service and another, the Pastors adopted daughter a
solid Christian, who was recently accused of being a Muslim in a non-Muslim neighborhood and nearly
lost her life. The interesting part of this was not a lament of how could God let this happen, but one of
praising God for deliverance. The Associate Pastor opened the service with a message from Psalm 91 of
Gods deliverance and refuge, the very testimony of these struggling people.
Jon Lewis, WA consultant working with WA in organizational training and engagement of national
partners, gave the message from Philippians 1:27-28.He focused on conducting ourselves in a manner
worthy of God and standing as one spirit while not being frightened by those who oppose you. It was a
message that was well received by this small body of believers who do not feel that God has given up on
them!
It was humbling and exciting to see during the time for tithe and giving, so many people coming forward
to give from the very little they had.
This is the world of CAR; a dichotomy of struggle and survival and yet blessings and grace. Please be in
prayer for Gods people and this country as WA re-engages in directly in supporting ACATBA in several
ways that will help them to continue work on the 10 languages they are currently involved and to push
forward to the completion of the remaining 30+ languages yet to begin.
Maybe you would consider helping our brothers and sisters in Christ in CAR. We have many needs in the
future. If you are interested feel free to send me a note at al_hawthorne@wycliffeassociates.org.
In His service,
Al
Philippians 1:27-2927 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm
in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any
way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be
savedand that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him,
but also to suffer for him


People & Projects - Theres Something Happening Here

.
















Upcoming Teams
Team Country Start Date End Date
English Language Learning Chad 11/04/14 11/24/14
English Language Learning Ethiopia 12/01/14 12/13/14
Bunia Construction Dem Rep of Congo 01/19/15 02/04/15
English Language Learning Tanzania 02/11/15 03/01/15
English Language Learning Ethiopia 04/13/15 05/01/15


For more information, contact Judy at judith_yon@wycliffeassociates.org
Africa High Priority Jobs
Job Title Location Organization Job #
Program Manager South Sudan Wycliffe Associates 885071
IT Systems Administrator Ethiopia Bingham Academy 885490
Assistant Area Director Addis, Nairobi or Jos Wycliffe Associates 885567
Computer Specialist Tanzania Uganda/Tanzania SIL 885324
Language Survey Coordinator Dem Rep of Congo Wycliffe Associates 885608
Tutor/Teacher Homeschool Bamenda, Cameroon Cameroon Branch SIL 885677

For more information, contact Judy at judith_yon@wycliffeassociates.org
The Directors Visit to Central African Republic
Central African Republic (CAR) has been in a period of
political instability for a long time now.

Al Hawthorne and Jon Lewis have recently visited the
region to identify additional ways in which WA can
support ACATBA, our national partner in CAR.

They met with Bertin, director of ACATBA, who
is shown here with Al. (Right)



Jon Lewis teaching our national partners in Bangui,
CAR. (Left)


Bertin points out the place where a bullet hit the wall
when rebels tried to intimidate him into turning over
funds and keys to the center. (Right)





Caterpillars offer increased protein! (Did Al and Jon accept?)
(Left)



Pray for a restful and relaxing mini-furlough for Don and Janet Guizzetti.
(Janets birthday is August 30.

Pray for continued healing and energy for Peg Seitz whose birthday is Sept. 3.

Praise God for Barb Lanes work as a teacher in Cameroon. (Barbs birthday is
Sept. 4)

Pray for continued health, safety and happiness for Sunny Oh whose birthday is
Sept. 6

Praise God for a refreshing week at camp, lessons in keeping life in balance and
Gods provisions of finances for Gaston Kingue & family. Gastons birthday is
Sept. 15.

Pray for good support-raising experiences for our new candidates for Program
Managers in Africa: Abiola, Bba and Jean.

Praise God for funding that is being provided for upcoming projects in Benin and
Cameroon by WA Donors.

Praise God that a project manager has been found for a 2-month construction
project in Bamenda, Cameroon.

Please pray for Gregg Bartholomew who suffered a mild heart attack while
visiting in the US with family. He and Jennifer hope for a quick recovery and
return to Kenya.

Praise God for the opportunity for a recent visit to CAR and pray for wise
decisions about future work in that location.