Dear Praying Partners,
What a wonderful time of year having just gone through the season of Thanksgiving and moving into the season of the birth of our Lord and Savior. Now, the cold I can do without, but I love the Christmas hymns and all the church fellowship during this Christmas season. My prayer is that your families are truly blessed this Christmas as we focus on the reason for the season, the birth of our Lord!!!!
In reflection, these past few months have been very busy as I have had the opportunity of traveling with one our pastors from Cote D’Ivoire. We visited many churches and presented the many needs of our ministries in Cote D’Ivoire. Our primary project was to raise the funds needed to construct a church building on the outskirts of the capital city of Abidjan. God was so faithful and more than provided for this need. We praise Him. Pastor Kouame Arsene’s heart was thrilled as he watched God work and provide for this big need. I personally want to thank each of you who had a part in making this happen for Cote D’Ivoire. In addition to providing for the church, extra funds came in to put a small clinic on the property as well, which will help meet the needs of the surrounding communities. God is so good!!!! Pastor Kouame Arsene returned to his country with his life and ministry completely blessed from his visit.
In addition to our travels, there are many other ministries and projects that God has provided for the past few months in Cote D’Ivoire. Here is what He has done:
He has provided $8500 to put a much-needed well in the city of Vavoua. This area where we have built a church has no water and this well will be an awesome ministry tool to help minister to the local community.
He has provided $18,000 to put up a new church building for our new church plant in the small town of Toumoudi!!! God is so good!!!
He has provided the $6000 needed to put the walls up on our church in Guitry. We have the pillars and roof on, now we can fill in the walls and complete the building.
There is also a possibility of funds arriving to put a second much-needed well on the church property outside of Abidjan.
We have so very much to be thankful for in Cote D’Ivoire and how God continues to provide for these various ministry projects!!!
In addition to Cote D’Ivoire, our ministries in Burkina Faso continue to move forth. Pastor Yonli, whom traveled with me this past March and April has reported that the construction on the clinic many of you gave towards is now reached the level of putting the roof on. We are so excited for the progress of this clinic that will one day soon, be used as a ministry to meet the needs of so may local people both spiritually and physically. Pastor Yonli is so thrilled to see this clinic coming to fruition!!! God is so Good!!!!
Family Needs:
Many of you have been asking about Denise and how her health is holding up. Continue to keep Denise in your prayers. She is, on a weekly basis, working hard through water rehab to improve her new normal life. Denise continues to struggle on a daily basis with any kind of stamina. She can do very little before her body becomes exhausted. We have recently switched doctors and tests have been run that we are awaiting results on. Keep her in your prayers, especially as I travel, and she tries to manage on her own. Again, we thank God for some improvement over the past year, but she has a long way to go. She continues to remain upbeat even during the difficulties with her health.
We thank each of you for your prayers and faithfulness in supporting our efforts to make a difference in Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and the orphan ministries. Have a Merry Christmas!!!!
With Much Love,
Jim for the Arnolds
Prayer Requests:
Pray for increased health for Denise in the weeks and months ahead.
Pray for the funds to construct two more church buildings for our new works. Each church costs around $18,000.00
We need $15,000 to buy a used pickup in Cote D’Ivoire to carry our evangelism equipment and team from village to village as they show the Jesus film.