Completion of Academic Year 2012:
We capped our academic year on a high note when we graduated a group of committed and dedicated men & women in the Class of 2012. It’s been a year of excitement, anticipation, and some trepidation. We are excited that we had one of the largest groups of students ever from the country of Algeria. Traditionally it’s been one of the most ‘closed countries' in the Arab world. Yet, wonderful to witness a couple from this country graduating, eager to get home and begin laboring in the vineyard of our Master. We also witnessed one of the brightest and dedicated young men returning to serve in Baghdad, Iraq. While many Christians are desperately trying to leave Iraq, he is returning home to minister in a country on the cusp of change, but dogged by brutal violence and uncertainty. We must pray for him, and all others. Our graduates are returning to Sudan, Iraq, Algeria, Egypt, and of course Lebanon. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. Surprisingly, Lebanon has been an island of ‘relative peace’ in a region swept by unprecedented changes and tumult. With a powerful yet deeply fractious Syria towering over tiny Lebanon, the future of the region is anything but stable or peaceful.
US Assignment:
We returned home to Oregon on our US Assignment in late July and are currently doing deputation, visiting churches and connecting with supporters. We are sorry we will not be able to visit all the regions of this great country, where our supporters are scattered. We are writing personal ‘thank you’ notes to all of them as each letter costs around $1.50 to mail from Lebanon. We will be returning to Lebanon on January 4th, in time to welcome a large ABCUSA delegation headed by General Secretary Roy Medley, and Virginia Holstrom, Executive Director of American Baptist Women's Ministries, who plan to visit Lebanon on January 21st.
Prayer Needs:
Please pray for our graduating students who returned home and entered ministry. Pray that the presence of our Lord will guide and inspire them. May they be protected from harm, joyful in ministry, and receiving support.
Pray for the new in-coming students entering our seminary in Fall, that they may be sure of their call and inspired for the ‘missional journey’.
Pray for an end to violence, and a path towards a peace and negotiated settlement in Syria. Pray there will be no ‘spillover’ effects into Lebanon.
Pray that the churches in Lebanon will reach out to serve the Syrian refugees, without fear or favor.
Dan & Sarah Chetti