니제르 – 정혜림 선교사 (2026년 7월)

June 2026 | Newsletter | from Aileen Chung

2025-26 School Year is Done

Never had I thought that this school year would finish without me returning there, but that’s what came to be...sad but true…

To the admin leaders at the site, it was a very difficult time with so much to do. I forewarn them what they should begin to do a while beforehand, but then living through the experience is what takes for a person to learn. At times, it felt like things won’t come together in time, but I am so glad that Alhamdou spearheaded the admin team to finish strong! Only possible with God’s grace! He had to endure many days of no sleep this year, but thanks to God that the things got done on time before all the students had to leave! I am sure he will plan and do a lot better next time if he had to do it again.

^ As we do just before we send our students back to the village every year, we invited

Mrs. Bernadette to come and give a training on how to hold Kid’s Clubs to share Gospel in each of their villages. ^

As soon as the students left a huge rain with strong wind went through leaving quite a bit of damage to our school – one of the solar panels above the solar pumped water tank, our basketball court fence got pushed in, our kitchen terrace roof flew away, and the worst was hit at the Maranatha clinic where the roof got lifted up by the wind. As I write this, we are still having a difficult time trying to convince the builder to do a reinforcement of the roof. Please pray for the repair job to be done as soon as possible.

G-E-M (GA-EA-Maranatha) Leaders Retreat

Beyond my own brain ideas and plans, God has led me to totally unknown charts many a times, and this is one of those, again!

Recently I’ve been hearing the same suggestions from several different people around me, telling me not to be too hung on the idea of returning to Niger as quickly as possible myself, but rather seek ways how I can raise, train, and encourage the next generation leaders that will carry out God’s vision in Niger through G-E-M (Grâce Académie – Emmanuel Académie – Maranatha Institut de Santé), the three schools.

Then through a pastor in Southern California, God has revealed to me the plan in detail: Go to a nearby country safe to Niger, then bring out the leaders of G-E-M to that country, and hold a retreat providing them the very needed rest as well as the training and encouragement face-to-face which will revitalize them to return to Niger to carry out their calling from God with a renewed strength and commitment.

Thankfully, several of our partner churches are very supportive of this idea, and it’s about to come to a realization in a few weeks! Depending on how much funds get raised until the end of July, we plan to bring out 17 essential people from Niger and hold a retreat in the first week of August before our schools get busy again in preparation for the new school year.

If you like this idea also, I thank you in advance if you’d consider donating even just a little to help us reach our goal to pay for the transportation for all 17? We would like to make the flight reservations as soon as possible.

Prayer Requests:

·         Please pray that the Admin retreat fundraise will allow all 17 essential leaders to be able to travel from Niger to the retreat site.

·         For the new construction of 3 buildings (classrooms for EA, Chapel for EA, and classrooms for Maranatha) will continue smoothly and finish on time before the new school year begins

·         in September

·         For the damage that we suffered from the strong wind and rain in June. That the builder of the Maranatha Clinic will repair the roof with no more arguments

·         Our student, Frinyama, who had the kidney transplant done in Korea last year, needs a comprehensive examination this July in Korea. Please pray as she travels alone -- her flights, and her stay in Korea for 3-weeks. That God will be with everyone that will be helping her: SungNak Church, the translator, the pickup from the airport, helper for her groceries and meals, and all those who will be helping her.

·         Please pray for the security and the politics of Niger

Praises:

·         So thankful for those new Admin team members that have worked very hard all the way to the year end!

·         That all the helpers for Frinyama’s stay in Korea for 3 weeks has been secured.

·         We are very happy with Daouda the Christian builder who is We are very happy with Daouda, the Christian builder who is doing such a great job of our present construction!

·         So thankful that the Admin retreat is coming up fast in about a month! Please pray that this will truly revitalize the 17 members in each of their areas that needed to be strengthened. May all of us personally feel God’s presence throughout the retreat!

·         We are very excited about the satellite Grace schools that will be planted in two different cities in Niger! Please pray for the two couples Lea & David, and Marianne & Abdoulsalam.

·         I am thankful for this period of time that God has allowed me to be close to my children and grandkids