From Nancy D.

Hi everyone!
Sorry communication has been so sparse. I did send a prayer request a few days ago, but just saw that it didn't go out. Oh well. You realize when you're in a place like this, how convenient everything is in America.
Never in my life have I experienced the level of attack by way of confusion that I have here. We thought we had a clear vision when we arrived, but soon found out that things have changed considerably. We drove up to the school and found the place in much better shape than it was 6 months ago. We found out that all major companies here are required to invest in poor local communities. A cement company had put up a classroom in the last couple of weeks, and promised 2 more. This really is great news because we can move on to other needs, but I must confess, it threw us for a loop. They still will need a large multi-purpose room at some point, but that's a lot of money. Also, there are many other things that we could do for the school....fix their drainage problem or build an overhang so they can get out of the rain while they eat (standing next to the building because they don't have a lunch room). See what I mean? It goes on and on. Obviously, we desperately needed to hear from God. We had a prayer retreat over the weekend and came away convinced that the school is still where the Lord wants us to invest......but maybe more in the kids themselves first..... rather than the building. These kids are the poorest of the poor and have need of so many basic things. This is predicted to be a very cold winter for them and they have ragged clothes, worn out shoes with the toes cut out to make room for growing feet, and of course no heating of any kind. We've decided to do a shoe drive first. We're going to go to all the wealthy schools and ask them to collect old school shoes for us to take to Vissershok.
This will be something they really need that we can do for them with no money. Also please pray for:
1) Donations to come in easily. Everyone here wears uniforms to school, so there should be plenty of outgrown shoes we can have.
2) We're going to check on the possibility of someone giving us a good break on school uniforms. So many of the kids are really in rags, and to see them in new uniforms would be a dream come true.
3) Please pray for us. We really are under attack. Confusion, discouragement, doubt (are we hearing God?) cultural misunderstandings. And of course........safety. The constant topic of discussion and determining factor in just about every step you take here.
Thanks friends! We love and miss you but are trusting we are where we're supposed to be!!
Mike and Nancy