April 19, 2002

Dear Friends,

We are doing great. Many things have happened and some times it almost seems impossible to keep up with everything. This month has seem unusually busy and difficult financially. Seems like the time of testing is here. I have had a large number of counseling to do these last few weeks. We can see the enemy at work trying to discourage Gods people. Seems like every car and bus gave problems. Even though we can fix many things here at the home there are several things that have to be done in other shops. A truck backed up on Kathy's car. Thank God it didn't do much damage. All the automobile problems caused an extra increase in our expenses.

The school is doing well. It is hard to keep teachers because they do not get paid. We only give them gifts that would cover their gas bill to come. Many of them have applied for teaching jobs in public schools so when they are called they leave. Since the beginning of the year we have had to get 4 new teachers. As you know that is not good for the kids. Please pray with us that God would supply enough money to pay them more.

After being in this building for 4 years and only doing the maintenance necessary to live in, we are needing to do some major jobs. The roofs are needing to be redone. There are still some wires that need to be changed in two of the big halls. The kitchen is needing some tile and the new sink put in. Thanks God we found a stainless steel sink that fit our main kitchen. It is one that was in a restaurant. The sinks that we had where made of tile and have gotten broken along the time with washing big pans and etc. We also need to get a hot water system that works and that is not too expensive to use. The cost that we have daily is high and is hard to keep up with the expenses. Many of you have helped greatly with your support and prayers, and we thank you. We still need much help with our monthly support.

You may be thinking, "If things are difficult, why do you get more kids?". We some times think that too. But, then there are stories like these, that makes us change our mind. A mother came to ask us to help her. She has a baby that is 10 months old. The father drinks and gives the baby liquor to drink. She doesn't have a job so she can't take care of the baby. The mother gets beaten by the man. Then the same week a 12 year old girl who used to go to church when she was much younger came to ask for help. She said she was tired of the life she was living. "At the age of 12?!" She has been using drugs for over 1 year and sexually involved with some guy since the beginning of the year. Pray for her. Her mother doesn't believe that her daughter is doing such things. The girl came here and when her mother came the Grandparents came and took the girl from here. They took her in not such kind ways. They beat her as they left. She came again, so Kathy took her to the city council where she could get help. And if things are as bad as she says the judge will send her to us. Well, the mother was furious with Kathy and tried to process her for taking her daughter to the council. What would you do in these cases ? That is just 2 stories of many.

Please pray for us. We need your help. Your continued prayers and support. Would you consider asking God what He would have you do for the Alpha and Omega home this month? We thank you for all you have done and for what God is going to do through each of you.

May God richly bless all of you!

Your servants,

Odali and Kathy