September 2013 update from Ibrahima Kodio

Dear Praying Friends,



I am looking forward to the day the school doors will open again, and at the same time I feel like it was just one week ago that the school was closed for summer break. The break was mainly occupied by visits to student families, negotiating a new place for Grace School, work and meetings for the new church building project in Koro, summer camp organization, and presidential election activities (vote organization). Altogether it was enough to make me feel like we had no summer break and wishing I had a longer vacation. Many students have already forgotten when they shouted, “Too much homework!!!” They are ready to come back to school, hungry to know more and to meet with their friends. While we haven’t yet finished analyzing the past school year, the coming one is at the door.



The past academic year was good for Grace in terms of results, as 80% of our students passed their exam. We thank God for all who donate to help kids in their time of need. We thank all of you who have partnered with us and supported us in all manners, including financial, material, spiritual, and technical. Please find our gratitude to you in this expression of thanksgiving. We are in a journey together (Rev. 20:12).



As we face the coming school year, we are considering several things: 1) What actions and activities to undertake for better communication between the parents and the school; 2) What strategy to use for a better and longer impact of the Gospel on the lives of the students; 3) What to do to improve the academic apprenticeship of each student, particularly in their area of gifting.


Because the compound owner that Grace rented from decided to not build more classrooms, Grace School needed to find someone to rent from who would build enough classrooms, or to purchase our own land where sufficient classrooms can be built by and for the school. Praise the Lord for providing a good piece of land for Grace Private School to purchase and for the finances needed to purchase it. This coming school year, first and second grade students will still be attending classes in hangers that we will build. We will convince the parents that study quality will compensate for the lack of comfort - I call this “MARKETING GRACE IN KORO!!!” AND we will do so through Christ (Phil. 4:13). We are aware that the challenge is big, but we know that our God is bigger. A test was organized by the local education authority for us to possibly recruit one permanent teacher for first grade this year while last year’s first grade teacher will move on with his students (picture to left – last year’s 1st grade) to second grade. 



Please thank God for:

ØThe health God has given us.
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ØThe success of 80% of our students at the national exam; regional success rate is about 30%.
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ØThe land in town being purchased by Grace School with the help of generous donors
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ØThe failed negotiations with the owner of the rented Grace compound, resulting in us buying our own land (confirming Rom.8:28).
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ØAll who are partnering with us in this Grace ministry.
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ØThe peaceful presidential election in Mali.



Please join us in prayer for:

ØA successful test so that we can recruit a 1st grade
  teacher – we may get the result late this week.
Ø
ØA good number of new students for Grace School
  this coming academic year.
Ø
ØDivine wisdom for the administration of Grace
  School as we grow.
Ø
ØContinuous peace for our country, Mali.



Thank you and God bless you,



Ibrahima KODIO
Grace Private School manager