This has been a very chaotic week.  The stress of corona virus and social distancing - especially the stress of not being able to worship together - has been compounded by tornado damage, power outages, and loss.

Storm Report

Virus, Social Distancing, and Tornados
By now, most of you have likely heard of the swarm of tornados that swept through the South late Easter Sunday.  That storm produced some severe damage in the East
Brainerd area of Chattanooga – the area where we live and where our church is located.  Nine families in our church lost the use of their homes – several homes were totally destroyed. 

Neither we nor our house were harmed during the tornado.  We are so thankful!  Lots of trees were blown down in our area, but the tornado itself passed about a mile north and east of us. However, we were without electricity for three days, “camping out” athome.  Thankfully, our daughter Krista and her husband Brad were able to find us a generator to keep the food from spoiling.

However, the school where Susan works as an educational therapist was in the direct path of the tornado and suffered extensive damage.  It was a grievous loss for the entire school family. The school will not reopen for some time, so Susan will be working with students via Zoom for the foreseeable future.

Of course, all of this is added to the stress we have all been experiencing with COVID-19, social distancing, job losses, economic chaos, travel restrictions, etc.  We pray that the Lord is continuing to bless each of you and provide for your needs during these difficult days.  Please let us know how we can pray for you more specifically.
As I wrote you earlier, the work of ELI has been greatly altered by this global pandemic.  Instead of traveling, I have been working with Sam Oppong on a new pastor training curriculum he is developing for use in several African countries.  My recent task was to revise the ELI curriculum on Church History that is used in India by replacing the Indian Church History section with four lessons on African Church History.  And ELI staffer Will Fares and I have been putting the finishing touches on a Burmese translation of Our Covenant God. Moreover, we remain in regular contact with our brethren in Ghana and in other areas of Africa.  Although the virus has not yet impacted them to any great degree, several countries – including Ghana and Uganda – have locked down some or all areas of the country.  This has created severe hardship for many and some are even going hungry because food is scarce.  Because of your continuing generosity, we have been able to send relief funds to several of these brothers.

We are still making plans for a Ghana trip in September, trusting that this crisis will have abated enough by then and international travel restored.  We are currently recruiting teachers, considering teaching assignments, and looking at what will be needed to add another MINTS location near Sunyani.  Please pray with us to these ends. Of course, we are in God’s hands in all of this planning. (cf James 4:15)
May the Lord draw near to you and give you great confidence in his sovereign control over all these events.  We are blessed to partner with you in this ministry.

For Christ’s Kingdom,
Dan and Susan Steere
Equipping Leaders International - West Africa