Projects
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY:
AN UPDATE ON THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC WOMEN’S CENTER
Dear Friends and Coworkers in Christ,
ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM CAR:
Greetings from Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry and the Eastern
ND Central African Republic task force! Gordon Olson, President of
Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM) recently visited the
C.A.R. in April 2005 and has much news to share with us. He had a
very encouraging trip to the Central African Republic and things
are moving briskly there on the women’s center. They are very
excited.
BRIEF HISTORY OF WOMEN’S CENTER
In 1997, a group of 12 women from the EEL-RCA (Evangelical Lutheran
Church of the CAR) visited the ELC in Cameroon. They were particularly
interested in learning how their women’s organization functioned.
Sarah Larson Tade (current pastor in Eastern ND) was a missionary
in the C.A.R. at that time and was working directly with the women’s
group, Central African Women for Christ. In Cameroon they saw the
beautiful new Women’s Center that had been built in Meiganga.
This caught their attention. When they returned home, building their
own Guest House became their first priority.
DREAM TO REALITY: OUR PLEDGE TO RAISE $133,000 needs only $32,900
more
The total cost is estimated at $133,000. It should be understood that
this is only an estimate calculated from the total square feet. The
church of the CAR has pledged to raise 10%. LPGM and MSAADA (architectural
firm) need 5% of the total cost for their fees. This leaves us with
about $126,000 to fund raise. Together Eastern ND synod along with
Texas/Louisiana synod and Western ND synod have $93,100 already committed.
THIS LEAVES US WITH ONLY $32,900 LEFT TO MEET OUR GOAL!
WHAT CAN OUR CONGREGATION DO?
Together we are raising funds to make this dream a reality. Each congregation
is encouraged to create an opportunity for people to participate
in this dream. This Women’s Center will be an incredible asset
in improving conditions in the CAR by providing infrastructure.
GOOD NEWS! ARCHITECT SUPERVISOR IDENTIFIED
There are serious difficulties inherent in any building project in
the CAR, due to the political instability, the challenge of procuring
supplies, and finding a qualified builder once the funds are raised.
And yet, God provides for our needs. An architect and supervisor
for the Women’s Center have been identified in the person of
Tim Dray. Tim and his wife Janet, also an architect, are interested
in spending a year in CAR to supervise projects and ultimately train
people for additional projects and maintenance. Tim is fluent in
French, has spent time building in Cameroon in the 1970’s,
and completed St. Timothy Church in Bangui after Gordon and Betty
Olson’s son Tim died. Tim is definitely a “servant type” who
would go for the right reasons to work with the church and empower
the people who work with him. Janet has very special gifts not only
in architecture and design, but also in skills that could be taught
to the women – design, sewing, management, etc.
SIMONE BAIGO DARI AND PRESIDENT ANDRE ZOULE WILL VISIT THIS FALL
Timing is a main concern right now. We are hoping to have funding in
place to make this dream a reality by the end of the year with a
prospective project start in early 2006. This fall LPGM along with
help from others, including Eastern ND synod, is bringing Simone
Baigo Dari and President Andre Zoule to the US. They will be spending
time in our synod to tell the story and raise awareness for the women’s
center and church building in Bouar. They will also be presenting
at the LPGM 10th anniversary celebration in September 2005. The visit
of these two people will make a difference in our partnership.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE
Please phone or email Kristin Svidersky (701-232-1076) svidersky@yahoo.com
