Prayer Letter

2026 sees us essentially end the 'exploratory' phase of our project. We've spent time getting to grips with a new life in Chad, with all that comes along with a completely different culture, climate and different ways of working and relating to people. We've researched the best ways to go about prosthetics and orthotics in Africa, seeking advice from others in the field, visiting other centres in Africa, formulating our required equipment lists and how to best source materials in a land-locked country with poor infrastructure. We've designed and costed up the building we will need to provide the service, got to know hospital staff, engaged with the physio team and made links with the few others in the country that work in the same discipline as us.

Although waiting to start clinical services has been difficult, this planning has been an important part of the process, allowing us to now confidently approach large grant giving organisations with our project proposal. It's also probably the part of the project that requires the most faith. Faith in the vision, faith in the waiting, faith that the many aspects that are out of our control will come together.

We're making some good steps in the right direction. BMS has approved a grant to build a small section of the full department building and a proportion of the equipment needed for the workshop, so that we can set up a small workshop adjoining the physio department. We've also had some help from another G2 partner organisation who've been doing some fundraising for the P&O department. It will mean we can provide a basic service while we fundraise for the remainder of the project costs. We will also start recruitment very soon for a candidate to send for training in prosthetics and orthotics in Togo. Togo has the nearest, accredited, French speaking school. They will start the 3 year course in Oct 2026.

The sunshine meant Christmas didn't have the usual feel, but it didn't stop us decorating and getting into the festive spirit. We had brought our artificial Christmas tree over from the UK in the summer, complete with fairy lights and tinsel, so that took pride of place in our lounge. We also made an activity of making paper chains and paper snowflakes with the children to complete the decorations.

There was a shared lunch on Christmas day amongst some of the G2 residents, as well as another British family who live in N'Djamena. Unfortunately, the boys had a sickness bug in the run up to Christmas which was then passed on to Ingrid right in time for Christmas, so she couldn't join in the festivities. She enjoyed some of the leftovers though!

It was nice to have a more stripped down Christmas season in Chad. Gone is the commercialism you see in many other parts of the world, allowing you to concentrate on the real reason for the festival. It's hard to miss happy times with friends and family in the UK, but it was genuinely a time to remember and celebrate Jesus' birth with other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Praise God:

For a successful application for funding for a small section of the larger P&O department building to set up a small workshop onsite.

That an order of plastic and foam sheets, to make prostheses and orthoses, arrived safely to G2 from the UK, and made it through customs with only a 'normal' amount of difficulty.

That the children enjoyed their first Chadian Christmas.

Prayer Requests:

That this next season of fundraising for the department will go well and quickly.

That the build of the small section of the department building and an order of machinery and tools proceeds without issue.

That there would be a change in the visa situation for Americans who are unable to renew visas at this time.

15th January will be our 1st 'Chadiversary'! In some ways it really doesn't feel like we've been here that long, but we do now have our residents cards to make it feel official. We'll be applying for our Chadian drivers' licences soon too! Thank you for all your support this year, we really couldn't do it without you all.