Tim Foster
Author's posts
Jan 27
January, 2019
Dear Friends,
Now that the presidential elections are over in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the dust has settled, the minister of telecommunications has turned the Internet back on, and we’re finally able to communicate with our school directors and church leaders. The Internet had been turned off for almost a month, so we’re thankful that full communication has been restored. When President Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in, hundreds of M23 rebels in the Kivu province laid down their arms in a show of support for the new president. It is the country’s first peaceful transfer of power since it gained independence from Belgium almost 60 years ago. Only the Lord knows how long peace will ensue, but for now, this seems to be a step in the right direction. Pray for continued peace.
The first phase of reconstruction work in Chad is almost complete, and the staff are beginning to settle into their newly renovated spaces. Afrideaf Foundation donated enough funds to address several more reconstruction projects, so director Yves Beosso will have his hands quite full for some time to come. Pray for wisdom as we continue the work.
We’re starting plans for our 2019 Congo Bible Camp, and will most likely meet in Bujumbura (Burundi). We’ll continue our study in Genesis, with plans to expand certain aspects of our pastoral training material. A couple of American teachers who are planning on coming have some health concerns, so pray that we’ll be able to get any necessary preliminaries addressed before we head out in July.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Director
Jan 05
December, 2018
Dear Friends,
As the year draws to a close, we see that God has done much through CMD in spite of a number of challenges.
Clement Abonyi, a ’70s graduate from our Nigeria school, is the founder of AfriDeaf Foundation. They have donated funds and materials to both our Nigeria and Chad schools. The funds were immediately put to use for reconstruction and expansion. Praise God for these wonderful gifts!
The Ebola outbreak in the North Kivu province of DRCongo shows no sign of receding. So far, 540 people have been infected since October 2018, and over 350 have died. Pray for the deaf living in the cities of Bunia, Butembo.
Immediately after the December 30th presidential elections in the Congo, the Telecom minister shut off Internet access for the entire country, supposedly to quell violence. As a result, we’ve been out of contact with our school staff in Likasi, Fizi, Uvira and Bukavu . Pray for peace and a resolution to the elections. Historically, elections in the Congo are a time of widespread violence and civil unrest.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Dec 04
Winter 2018
Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7-8
As we approach the end of the year, we’re both humbled and excited when we reflect on how God has used you to help shape more deaf Africans into the image of our Savior.
Burundi Camp
Our 2018 Congo Bible Camp took place in Bujumbura, Burundi, at the Ephphatha school for the Deaf. It was a good opportunity to reach out to deaf leaders who aren’t usually able to travel to our camp when we meet in the Congo. In addition to many of our usual Congolese and Rwandan attendees, we had five different Burundian cities participate, as well as a small group of pastors and evangelists who traveled 2 days from Lubumbashi (DR Congo) to make it to the camp. The theme of the week was “God’s Plan of Redemption from the Beginning”, and we taught from Genesis 1-11, showing how God’s redemptive plan throughout history connects with the rest of the Bible. Although our conferences are mainly geared towards church leaders, we had a few Muslims in attendance, and were thrilled to see one Muslim young lady come to Christ! Pray for Ramla as she begins her discipleship under the pastoral care of Israël Mungumwema. Lord willing, our 2019 camp will continue in Genesis, looking at Abraham, the Father of Our Faith.
University Scholarships
A few months ago we launched a university scholarship program to enable our teachers in Chad and the Congo to enroll in local universities. Participants are required to raise 20% of their own funds, and maintain high grades while continuing their teaching duties at school. So far, six candidates have signed up for the program. Although they are doing well, they face special challenges because the universities are not equipped to handle deaf students. Pray that they will handle the additional workload with grace.
Nigeria
Earlier this year, the Nigerian government seized our 30-acre property, located just outside of Ibadan,
New well in Nigeria
with the intention of using it for their own purposes. Although the property is still under construction, our staff immediately moved to appeal the decision, and was able to bring public attention to the situation. Losing this property would have been a huge blow to the growth of deaf education in Nigeria, so we praise God that the government rescinded its decision and returned ownership of the property back to CMDN.
Democratic Republic of Congo
We praise God for increased enrollment at our Bukavu school. We’ve added Fabien Morisho to the staff. He’s a friend of ours from Goma, and a gifted deaf teacher with a passion for Christ and deaf education. With limited funds and no long-term support, he felt led to travel to Bukavu because he heard the deaf church there had education and spiritual needs. The timing was perfect, as we had just begun looking for a deaf person to add to our school’s faculty. Now his teacher’s salary enables him to teach children at the school and minister to the deaf adults at the church. The downside to this is that the cost of living continues to increase in Bukavu. Our school is feeling the pinch, and several of our co-workers are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Pray for us to have wisdom as we devise ways for our school to navigate the hurdles of increased rent, increased food costs, etc.
Uvira Secondary School
Historically, our Uvira school has concentrated on primary education, but this year, we’re thankful that enrollment of secondary students is at an all-time high. Pray for director Pililo as he and his staff continue to train up the next generation of deaf leaders.
A growing concern for our Congolese schools is the lack of electricity. Many homes and small businesses in the Kivu province can’t afford to be connected to the city’s unreliable electric grid. Instead, people with minimal electrical needs go to ‘charging kiosks’, where for about $1.00, they can charge up laptops, tablets and phones. As solar equipment continues to become more and more affordable, homeowners are installing mini solar powered systems. The initial costs for such systems can be as low as $400, with no recurring costs, minimal maintenance, and better reliability when compared to city electricity. Pray for wisdom as we continue to explore these options for our three schools in the Kivu province.
Pray for peace as national elections are now underway in the DR Congo this Christmas season.
Chad
Earlier this summer, because of your loving support, we were able to add a water well to the ongoing
Toukoura (Chad) Farm
construction at our Toukoura property, allowing one of our staff families establish a small farm there. In the mean time, ongoing repairs are needed at the N’Djamena property, near the country’s capital, and God has graciously allowed Clement Abonyi, a Nigerian friend living in the USA, to help us with his fund-raising efforts. Director Yves reports that repairs and construction are now underway. Praise God for His faithfulness!
In Him,
Tim Foster
Director
Dec 03
November, 2018
Dear Friends,
We have five staff members in Chad and one in the Congo who have been able to enroll in local universities to further their education. Their scholarship pays for 80% of their school costs, but on their limited salaries, even the 20% is a bit of a burden. We’re optimistic that they will be faithful students, but do keep them in their prayers as their studies are an additional burden to their current job duties.
In April 2019, Lord willing, our Congolese school directors will be meeting for our first Congo Director’s conference. This will be an excellent opportunity for our school directors to get to know each other, and also to discuss various methods, practices and procedures for managing a deaf schools and churches. Pray for Shukuru Heritier, our newest/youngest director, as he plans the event. Pray that the meeting will be a great success as our directors work together to train up the next generation of church leaders.
The largest Ebola outbreak in underway in the north Kivu province of the DR Congo, with 167 lives lost since August. We don’t have a school in the region, but there are several deaf churches there, and a number of our deaf friends are in the affected cities. Pray that the outbreak will be quickly contained.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Director
Oct 29
October, 2018
Dear Friends,
Our Bukavu school is undergoing some important transitions. Director Nanza has brought in a new assistant, Fabien Morisho, a deaf young man from Goma (10 hours north) who has been a long-time
Fabien Morisho
New teacher in Bukavu
attendee of our Bible camps. He’s the first deaf staff member for this school. We’re praying that he will be an effective teacher, and a vibrant liaison between our school and the existing deaf community in Bukavu. Pray for direction as we seek to move the school closer to the downtown area of Bukavu.
In Chad, Director Yves reports that the university students’ strike has had a significant negative impact on the government of Chad. Last week, a rioting mob of university students came to our deaf center while school was in session, demanding solidarity with their strike. They threatened to destroy the school’s gate and beat the students to force them to stay home, just as they have done at other private schools. Praise God that their plans came to naught, and they eventually dispersed. Thankfully, a temporary provision was signed by the government a few days ago, allowing for some tranquility till January. Pray for peace and security in these uncertain times.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Sep 27
September, 2018
Dear Friends,
Grand Opening in Fizi, DR Congo
The 2018-2019 school year is off to a healthy start in Nigeria, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Summer construction and renovation projects are nearing completion: In Uvira, Director Pililo has had to rebuild the toilet facilities. In Fizi, Director Shukuru has completed preparations for their newly rented facility, and hosted a grand opening-day ceremony, with local dignitaries in attendance. Pray with us that these improvements will serve the deaf well.
We’ve started a new program where we offer financial assistance for some of our senior faculty and staff to pursue higher education at local universities. So far, we have about six people in Chad and the Congo who have submitted applications to take advantage of this opportunity. It is our prayer that their continued education will improve the quality of their teaching and administrative duties as they work to bring education and the Gospel to the deaf.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Sep 04
August, 2018
Fizi school renovations
Dear Friends
Our Fizi school is now renting space in a larger facility, and ready to begin the 2018-2019 school year. Director Shukuru Heritier has visited Burundian refugee camps in his region, and paved the way for deaf Burundian refugees to enroll in his school. Pray that the remaining logistics will be ironed out soon. In Uvira, we’re having to do some extensive renovations to the school building. Pray that we’ll be able to complete the repairs before school starts.
Toukoura Irrigation
At our new school property in Chad, the newly installed water pump has been put to good use irrigating the small farm, resulting in a bountiful crop.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Director
Aug 07
July, 2018
We thank God for His blessings on our annual Congo Bible Camp. About 1/3 of the 120 attendees were first-timers from Burundi, so we’re thankful to be able to make inroads into the deaf churches in that country.
One of the attendees was a Muslim young lady named Ramla. Since our camps are targeted at pastors, evangelists and church leaders, it’s rare for us to have Muslim attendees. By the end of the week, Ramla had decided to follow Christ instead of Mohammed. We have no idea what her conversion will cost her, but please pray for Ramla as she begins discipleship under the Burundi church in her town.
Director Yves and his staff have lost no time in putting their new well to use. They set up an irrigation grid and planted some crops and trees on the property. If all goes well, the crops will grow quickly during this rainy season and be able to weather the coming dry season.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Director
Jul 11
June, 2018
Praise God for several big answers to prayer regarding our Chad school:
- A new motorcycle has been purchased to replace the school’s aging motorcycle. Pray that it will serve the school well.
- A new well has been installed at the school’s new property. Limited funds have allowed for only one small building to be constructed so far, but in the mean time, one of our staff members has moved his family to the 6-acre property, and has planted a small farm. Pray that the first harvest will be bountiful, and that more funds will allow for continued construction.
Our Annual Congo Bible Camp is July 16-20. Pray for safety for the many who travel to the camp, and that God will be magnified in the teaching of His Word.
Shukuru Ramazani, the director of our Fizi school, has made contact with a refugee camp several miles north of his town. He was able to locate about 20 deaf refugees at the camp, and is working with officials to allow the refugees to attend the school in Fizi. Pray that the officials will allow the deaf refugees to attend our school and receive not only an education, but an introduction to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Him,
Tim Foster
Director
