news from …. SAM & CAROL SOUKOTTA founder & director: Mt Hope Foundation, INDONESIA

On August 1, Carol’s mother Dorothy Walker passed away at the age of 90. Although a week previously she had been released from the hospital for hip surgery, she was doing fine and appeared very happy and settled in her new Home. A Christian nurse who was by her side when she left this world to be with her Family at the funeral: Back centre, Mervyn Walker, far right, Lester Walker, 2nd left, loving Father, said that she had never Valmae Crosbie, Glenys Bell (centre front), Carol Soukotta (front right), Sheri Sing seen anyone die so peacefully! At (3rd back left). Harvey Walker not in photo. Others: in-laws and grandchildren her funeral on August 10, we celebrated her Homecoming. Of the 8 siblings, 7 were able to be present, arriving from various nations. This was truly a reunion for us Walker’s as the last time all 8 of us could be together was in 1995! We were privileged to have such a Godly mother and father who dedicated their lives to the service of the Lord.

The Tawangmangu Bible College (started by Carol’s parents) celebrated the 45th new School Year. It was an honour to have Ps Mike & Jeannie Knott from Wellington Elim, New Zealand as our guest speakers. Ps Mike was Dorothy Walker’s pastor for many years in her latter years. The eldest student this year is 68, a Chinese gentleman from Jakarta. They come from many islands of Indonesia, including Papua Indonesia.

Not many people will give for maintenance on buildings but we have to admire and thank the Elim churches of Auckland, New Zealand for a most generous offering for this purpose. The roofs of 9 buildings are in dire need of renewal. Next week we will begin renovating, while we still have 2 ½ months of dry season! If there are any builders out there who can help, we receive you with open arms! We will also be renewing some ceilings so the work continues into next year. Tawangmangu has a beautiful climate all year round … how about a working holiday! Food & accommodation provided!

Tawangmangu Bible College LAND As the month of August was Ramadhan, not much was accomplished via the government administration, therefore we still await a letter stating we receive 30% discount on the cost of the bible college land. Once we have this assurance, we will concentrate again on paying off the remaining amount.

Mt Hope, Borneo We have recently purchased a very strategic bit of land which is just to the right of our entrance into Mt Hope. If we did not purchase this, our entrance into Mt Hope could not be widened, as the owners on the left side have narrowed it down. The high school building will be built on this section. We are still having to pay off this land. Anyone able to help with payment of the Mt Hope land? At present Craig, our project manager at Mt Hope is overseeing the building of the new children’s dorm and new staff quarters. We could only take in 37 new children last July. Many parents beg us to take their children and are not worried about them becoming Christians! But because of the lack of accommodation, we have had to turn them down. The lack of finance and builders are the hindrance to the work progressing faster at Mt Hope. It’s wonderful to see these children who came from poor villages and who did not know Christ, now following Him with some studying here at the bible college and others in university. By the way, we could also do with builders at Mt Hope. Please contact us if you can help!

We wish to thank all of you who stand with us in prayer and finance. We pray for you.