Meet the Tamajaq Team:

Many of you have been asking for a list of members of the Tamajaq team.  It is a privilege to introduce them to you:

Joe and Linda Gallop:
Joe and Linda are our most senior missionaries.  They have been working in Niger since 1988.  They are committed to translating TEE (Theological Education by Extension) training materials for training church leaders into Tamajaq.  They work in the Tahoua area and bring a lot of experience and maturity to our team. They have eight children who are home schooled.   Pray for steadfastness in the translation work that the Lord has given to the Gallops.  Pray that the materials will be completed before the conclusion of this term. See Breaking Through update June 3, 2000.

Bruce and Robin Walton:
Bruce is the team leader of the Tamajaq team. They joined the Tamajaq team in 1994.  They are spearheading a work in a very important Tamajaq town called Tchin-Tabaraden.  They will be working very closely with the Wyricks.  The Waltons have 6 children.  Currently they are also living in Tahoua but home to move to Tchin-Tabaraden soon. Pray for the many adjustments that they will face as they move to a more remote location.  Pray also for strong relationships and open doors for the Gospel (Colossians 4:3-4).  See Breaking Through update January 14, 2000.

Mark and Kimberlee Wyrick:
Mark and Kimberlee are the newest members of our team.  They came earlier this year.  They will be joining the Waltons in reaching out to the Tamajaq people in Tchin-Tabaraden.  Pray for their adjustments and language study.  Pray also for Kimberlee's health.  She was not well right before they came to the field.  We thank the Lord for the Wyricks.  They have brought a lot of new enthusiasm and determination to our team.  

Marianne Sterchi:
Marianne is a Bible translator.  She is from Switzerland and joined our team in 1997.  She is part of a team of Bible translators working on the Tamajaq Bible.  The translation team includes Wycliffe missionaries and the Abdousalames.  Marianne is also very interested in literacy work.  She sees this as an important component of Bible translation.  The translation is only valuable if people can read it.  Pray for her language study.  She is also studying Hebrew in preparation for the translation of the Old Testament.  Pray also for the soon completion of the New Testament in Tamajaq.  Our targeted goal is 2003 for this work. 

Mike and LaRae Schmidt:
Mike and LaRae are working with us in Madaoua.  Besides Tamajaq ministry both Mike and LaRae are very active in the local church in Madaoua.  LaRae has been teaching Sunday School as well as training nationals to teach as well.  Mike is the treasurer for the church and has opportunity to preach from time to time.  Mike has a number Tamajaq villages and encampments that he visits on a regular basis.  He is also working on the various histories of the Tamajaq people.  Pray for open doors for the Gospel.  Pray for the people who we have targeted for prayer.  See Madaoua's Most Wanted List.

Ruth and Khamada Adousalame:
This is a neat story.  Khamada worked with translator Maurice Glover in England on the Tamajaq Bible translation.  After over a decade of service in Niger, the harsh climate and various health problems prevented Maurice from working in Niger.  Khamada and Maurice worked on the translation from his home in England.  During this time, through daily contact with the Word of God, Khamada accepted Christ as his Savior.  He became a strong witness for Christ among his family members.  He also produced several radio broadcasts which were aired on Niger's national radio. 

He returned to England to do further Bible training and some linguistical training to prepare him to help with the Bible translation.  He met Ruth in England and they were married in 1997.  They have returned to Niger.  Khamada has greatly enhanced the translation project as he is a native Tamajaq speaker.  Ruth who is fluent in French has been working as the bilingual secretary in the SIM office in Niamey.  The Abdousalames are affiliate members of SIM and are supported by and sent out by their home church in England.  Pray for translation project.  Pray also for Ruth's health.  She has a form of lupus but so far seems to be healthy since their arrival in Niger in 1999.

Ralph and Maridee Sauers:
Ralph and Maridee have worked with Tamajaq ministry since 1984.  They also have endured the worst of what Niger has to offer health-wise.  They have had malaria, typhoid, hepatitis  and in 1990 Ralph contracted cerebral encephalitis. This brought them home for a time of recuperation and they did an excellent job in the candidate department in Charlotte for a number of years.  Now they are looking towards a new chapter in their lives.  The Lord has not opened the door for Ralph and Maridee to return to Niger full time, but there are a number of opportunities open to them on a part time basis.  Ralph will lead short-term teams to Niger for prayerful exposure to nomadic ministries.  Ralph and Maridee also have strong pastoral gifts and would be a tremendous encouragement to the Niger missionaries anytime they are on the field.  Also Ralph is looking into the possibility of teaching 2-3 week discipleship courses in the Tamajaq church in Niamey at various intervals.  We praise the Lord that Ralph and Maridee are still engaged in the ministry among the Tamajaq people and are still part of our team.  They have 2 children, Luke and Sara.  

Steve and Mikki Schmidt:  See our Story