The Martha & Mary Center
Central African Republic

Jim Noss, former missionary to Cameroon, spent two weeks in the Central African Republic recently.  Supported by LPGM, Jim worked with volunteer, Arne Schjeldrup from Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND, to install solar panels and related equipment at the women’s center. In addition they worked on similar equipment at the mission house and church administrative offices nearby.

The solar equipment will greatly reduce the cost of energy, making the women’s center more sustainable.  A back-up generator will pump needed water from a well located on the property but the solar panels will supply electricity for lighting and light appliances such as computers.  Two other buildings on the property, the church building and the HIV/AIDS center will also benefit from the new source of electricity.

Jan Jacobson, volunteer from Western North Dakota, spent time at the women’s center teaching sewing and quilting to the women.  This was Jan’s first trip to CAR.  ELCA missionary, Jackie Griffin, who works as a consultant to the women’s ministries, and Delphine Govanda, president of the women’s organization were very eager to welcome Jan who, we hope, is only the first of many volunteers to share with the women.