I have not been talking about the school lately because I quit. I quit right before our annual leave in March. Many of you may not understand my tactics but it was the only way to get the people here to listen. The buildings where looking better and more functional and we had full classrooms but none of that mattered if we are not using the school as a spiritual outreach to the children.
On my resignation letter I gave 4 points as to why I was quitting. The reasons were as follows.
1. Lack of spirituality in the school
2. Problems with the administration
3. Corruption in the school
4. Lack of adventist teachers
Next, I gave the solution to each point. They had several meetings over this and they accepted all of my stipulations on coming back except one. One thing they felt like they could not vote on and that was getting rid of the very corrupt principal. I let them know that I would not come back and work with the school until we had a good, trust worthy and spiritual leader. There was no getting around it but oh they did try. I stuck to it though with God on my side. I spoke boldly in the board meetings and uncovered the paper trail of lost money and unvalidated receipts. I was the treasurer last year which really revealed a lot. I praise God for allowing me to see these things and for giving me the strength, as a woman, to go forth and not be afraid to say the truth before the board. I have to admit though that right when I was called into a meeting a got very nervous and I called Jamie and Dr. Bland to pray with me to give me God's strength. I know I was not alone.
No one wanted to take that responsibility of firing a man that was clearly stealing not even the pastor. But I guess it is culture. Everything is about relationships. I continued to be persistent that a decision needed to be made. I called Dr. James Appel to come help me. He was very understanding and four days later he had Gary Roberts fly him in for the meeting along with the Director of Education from Ndjamena and the pastor came as well. Four hours later the decision was made and the principal was replaced and all points accepted. This was six months later, 3 while I was in the states on leave and then the last three being active trying to get heard.
Wow! So now I am on fire! I am so excited because now I see that the doors are open to really make a difference in the lives of the children. But I can't do all this alone. Again, I need your help. I am going to need money again. I am moving forward in faith and I am going to build the next building. I want to complete this school and give these kids the opportunity to have a christian education all the way through high school. I have some money already that some people have given in the past but I know it is not going to be enough. Right now our school only goes up to 10th grade then the kids have to join the other children in the market school with drunk teachers along with a lot of other corrupt things they do. I believe that this is a very influential age and they would be so much better to stay in the better environment that is going to focus them on a better future. Please consider joining me on this endeavor. Please consider this to be something that your sabbath school class or church or whatever group to take on as a real mission to help reach the lives of young people. Along the way I am also going to be asking for help with getting some books for the kids because right now they have nothing. There is so much to do. But I am willing to do all the foot work and the communication and give you all the pictures you need. I will do anything and everything if you will join with me. Let me know your questions.
Thank you for your support through all these different journeys that this place has given us. You all have helped me in so many ways especially here lately. Thank you for the prayers, I know that they have made the difference. I can see the light and the mission for the people in this place again, hallelujah!
Love and blessings,
Tammy ParkerJamie phone: +235 93 46 46 35
Tammy phone: +235 95 25 86 58
Jamie & Tammy Parker
Hopital Adventiste de Bere
52 Boite Postale
Kelo, TChad
Afique
All donations can be sent to:
Harrison SDA Church
P.O. Box 969
Harrison, TN 37341
Make Checks payable to:
Harrison SDA Church
Earmark: "The Bere Project"
