Dear family and friends,

We again would like to share with you how we are being blessed by God and His people.

1. We received a vehicle for our personal use for the duration of our home assignment. This was a collaborative effort from 3 parties. One gave us use of their used vehicle, another serviced it and yet another insured it. We have had the privilege to spend time with 2 of these parties. The original owners are new immigrants to Canada for 2 years. Heard of our need and responded.

2. Surgery on Grace’s right knee. Again, we are amazed how God has navigated us through the health system and she was able to get a MRI and surgery date so rapidly. This can only happen with much prayer and hard work by our Missionary Health Team. When booking in to the hospital for surgery the intake nurse mentioned to Grace how fortunate she was to have such an excellent surgeon. After surgery, he visited us and was pleased with the surgical procedure. Currently we are in Toronto awaiting the follow-up appointment on September 26^th. Our flight to Winnipeg is September 27^th.

During our time in Toronto we are taking the opportunity to take an on-line course on teaching Literacy. As you may already be aware, we were doing literacy training during our last term. We did it based on the demand for this service in our area and, thankfully, with the help of colleagues we did the best we could. We were pleased with the results but think we can do better and assist the local church and individuals to continue this work.

There have been extensive studies how essential it is to bring literacy to communities because of its extensive benefits. These include better job opportunities and reduced exploitation. There is great value in the increased knowledge and education for those taking the literacy and for the children of those becoming literate. Women who can read and write see the value in having their children in school and can assist them to be successful in school. Illiterate parents are not able to help their children through school. When people read and write they can read the scriptures for themselves and discern for themselves God’s word. They can participate in the church community more fully. Dignity, respectfulness and inclusion of the personhood of the individual is elevated. The church can mature more fully and can reach out to the surrounding community, offering a valuable service. It helps build bridges and understanding between people in the shared struggle of learning to read and write.

Our past several months included a mission conference in Waldheim, Sk. We have had a blessed opportunity to visit with many of our friends and family. Upon our return west we will have one week of vacation at a National Park thanks be a generous benefactor. After Thanksgiving with family, we will continue our travels, first to the Calgary area then returning to Lloydminster before returning to Manitoba for Christmas.

3. Housing: Again, we are grateful to the individuals who have made housing available to us the past several months and through to near the end of January. We are looking for housing in the Lloydminster area for February. Any snowbirds planning to be away and need your home cared for in your absence, we would be happy to help.

We have been blessed by your sharing your stories with us as well. It is our joy to hear how God has been working in your lives as well.

Now the rest of the story!

During our first term in Galmi we became very involved in the local Junior High School, aka CEG.  Some of you partnered with us in the improvements and development of this local public CEG. For those who were not directly involved we will give a brief history. There were 540 students in the school with few operating desks.  Teachers did not have textbooks. The school had not received government funds in 11 years. Window and doors were no longer functioning, and supports for the ceiling where eaten away by termites. There was only 1-bathroom facility.

We initiated improvements such as the repair, and building of a total of 134 desks, each seating 2-3 students. A second toilet facility was built for the students as well as one for teachers. Text books were purchased for teachers, blackboard paint reapplied, flag pole and flag provided and erected. The school was visited regularly by us and teachers where invited into our home for a meal and encouragement. We saw that through this time of change at the school, that the number of students graduating to high school went from 6 to 36 in the following year.

Parents who had family and resources typically sent their children away from Galmi for their CEG and High School education. This meant children between the ages of 10, 11 or 12 years old left home to complete their education. Not all situations were ideal or healthy. We hoped the improvements would allow more parents to keep their children at home longer.

Because of our involvement, the government responded initially by putting in four new classrooms with desks along with solar panels and fans. Near the end of our term the Minister of Education had written to us and thanked us for our efforts on behalf of the people of Galmi and area. We even had the opportunity to meet him at the end of the school year for a party that the teachers had invited us to.

The four new classrooms, in fact, became six new classrooms, more teachers were supplied. Parents are now keeping their children with them in Galmi. The school population is now around 1500.

We are so pleased to be part of this initiative and wish to thank all who helped out.

God Bless,

Orest and Grace Pelech

On home assignment from Niger, Africa