December 2009

Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.
Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. Psalm 139:9-10

Tom and I have had a whirlwind 7 months in the States. We are very grateful to the many people who made it such a special time. We are especially grateful to our family who has made so many sacrifices to make sure that we have been well taken care of J As we head back home, we would like to share just a few praises and prayer requests with you. Thank you for your faithful prayers!

Leaning on His everlasting arms,
Crystal and Tom J

Praise God for:

*My dad and my cousin Nathan who will be traveling with Tom and I and keeping us company for the month of January; this will be a great transitional help for Tom, and we can always use the extra helping hands

*The money which has been provided for the completion of the roof for the nursery school building

*Safety in all of our travels around the country during the past 7 months; He kept us safe when we had no rear brakes and while driving in snow.
His enduring faithfulness

Pray for:

*Our new babies, one of whom is on an NG tube for feeding
the families affected by the horrible tractor trailer accident in Dekina, our local government headquarters; at least 100 people were killed and a number of children orphaned

*The completion of the roof for the nursery school building

*Families who will be pursuing adoption in February

*Daniel’s (our director’s) health

*Strength to catch up on all the work that will be awaiting me

Looking for more ways to help?

We will be making available a list of envelope-sized items that can be sent throughout the year, which will be helpful to the ministry.

We have many wonderful supplies for the school and the orphanage which we will not be able to carry over with us. Shipping to Nigeria is very difficult and expensive. Our least expensive and most secure options are mailing boxes and paying for visitors to carry an extra bag or two when they come to visit. If you would be interested in sponsoring the costs for a box or a piece of luggage, you can make a donation to Liebenzell with a note indicating that the money is to help with “shipping to MoM”. A flat rate box (12”x12”x6”) costs about $50 to mail; M-bags to send books and other print materials up to 11 lbs. costs $46.75 - each additional pound or fraction of a pound costs an additional $4.25; an extra piece of luggage to be carried by a visitor can cost up to $250/bag depending on the airline.

I was just informed this week that the roof of the house I stay in is “losing strength” and will need to be fixed before the rains come in May. I have been told that this will be a big project because we will need to buy longspan aluminum roofing sheets, and put in a new truss structural construction, which will include increasing the height of the walls. Although we have not been able to get an exact estimate yet, we have been told that it will cost at least $7,000! If you are interested in helping with the new roof for this house, donations can be made to Liebenzell with a note indicating what it is for.
Liebenzell USA
P.O. Box 66
Schooley’s Mt., NJ 07870