When I was applying to be a missionary, one thing that I really looked forward to was the future opportunity to work alongside church partners and volunteer groups who would come on the mission field to assist in sharing the gospel. Serving others is a passion of mine, and I've always loved guiding others in service.
That being said, I had another wonderful experience with our volunteer group that came this past week. This was a church group of 5 adult men and women from Mississippi. Some colleagues here in Senegal attend this church, and they came to visit this family. While in Senegal for 2 weeks, they were able to spend 4 days with Elliott, Pat and me.
The group arrived Monday morning. After breakfast Elliott talked about the culture here in the villages to prepare them for sights and sounds they would experience. Most mornings we broke up into prayer walking groups of 3 and walked over the village here to pray for the people and for God to begin working. Monday they also were able to experience our market.
Most afternoons we spent time in villages. The women visited with Pat in some villages her and Elliott are working in. Elliott and I took the men to villages and visited with the men of these villages. We also were able to let the teenage children of our colleagues visit the local highschool and french club to speak with the students.
There's always the challenge in this culture of finding friends when they are not busy. When visiting one village, our friend the village chief was busy with a water leak in the town. While grateful that he did take time to talk with us and open his home to our guests, we were sensitive to his schedule and left a bit sooner than we planned. Also, when I was prayer walking with my group, I was hoping to introduce some of my friends and made plans to do so. However, when arriving, we were not able to find 3 of these friends to talk with. As missionaries and guests in the culture we do have to be flexible in organizing our time with friends.
But with challenges there are often rewards as well to celebrate.
*Pat and her group of women were able to share the story of Ruth in its entirety to 2 separate villages.
*My prayer walking team and I shared about the concept of the trinity to one of my good friends. This friend is a student of the Islamic faith. We often have conversations like this where I try to relate my faith to him. I told him that God and Jesus are equal, even though we consider them to be Father-Son. It's like my friend here. I know him by his American name, while you know him by his Senegalese name. He's still the same person. Jesus is God, but came to earth as a man. It's very difficult to understand; however you see Jesus as a great prophet. He claimed to be God's Son. You should accept his words as truth if you know he is a good prophet. He then wanted me to read some books he had about his faith, and I told him I would read them if he would read the New Testament in Wolof that I would give him. So I pray that he will read this and consider it's message.
*My prayer walking team was also able to share a story with a religious leader and his 2 friends as well. We told these men the story of Lazarus. Unfortunately one man walked away during the story, so we stopped. But we did say a prayer for these men, and prayed in Jesus' name.
This group was a wonderful group. I certainly appreciated their prayers for me in my personal life, my ministry, and my future. I was very encouraged by their presence. I was also very intrigued to see the culture through their eyes. As they recognized the severe darkness here in Ngay Mekhe, I am deeply reminded of the work that is before us. I know God is bigger than this, but I know that I am not capable of even waking up in the mornings without him. As this group has come, it has allowed me to focus on my goals for my ministry. When I came, I did think that I could lead some of my closest friends to Christ. Although I pray for that to happen, I have come to realize that it does take years of ministry to lead a Muslim believer to know truth. Now I wish simply to be a man of Christ to the Wolof people. When they see me, I want them to know that I am a follower of Christ, and that I have come so that they may hear about Jesus my Savior and Lord. May God grant us perseverance to continue sharing with the Wolof people.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
elections
This week we have had campaigns all week long. In David H's opinion, this is more fun than elections in America. I guess I can't really argue with that too much, though it is quite different. On Sunday this week (3/22) people will elect mayors and the positions similar to a regional seat for the next 2 years. So this week especially has been a time of campaigning for these who want the office.
At least it's only been a week of this, but wow has this been a loud week around here. When people hold meetings, they meet from 7 pm until sometimes 1 or 2 in the morning. These meetings typically have loud speakers, singers, dancers, and people to play drums as they dance and celebrate. Then the speaker will get up around 8 or 9 to speak about what is on his mind, changes he will plan to make and things he will immediately do, and then asks the people for their support financially. I've seen these meetings get started. Between 500-1000 people in the neighborhood will come and listen. Many leave very excited about the changes that will perhaps be made.
I drove through a village town not far from here today. They were campaigning in town and the whole village was drawn to it. I would bet 4,000 people were walking along the street and gathering as it started. Many were already wearing the t-shirts that were given away to gain support. It does seem like the people enjoy these meetings.
But here are some of the drawbacks:
-First of all, the noise. It's tough to sleep when these meetings are going on til 1 am and are 30 feet from your bedroom.
-Next, we'll mention the idea of being a politician. They're all the same. They think they have a new idea, they want to do something a new way, but in the end they eat the money of the people. Politicians here want to do what everyone before them wanted to do: bring power, telephone, and water to all the people-even people in the villages. They also talk about lowering food prices. But they don't talk about improving education or health care, which should be their top priorities.
-and finally, the idea that the promises the politicans are making are things that they may not follow through on.
I do pray that this time of electing new local leaders will be a peaceful event. I will be sure to enjoy observing this on Sunday.
At least it's only been a week of this, but wow has this been a loud week around here. When people hold meetings, they meet from 7 pm until sometimes 1 or 2 in the morning. These meetings typically have loud speakers, singers, dancers, and people to play drums as they dance and celebrate. Then the speaker will get up around 8 or 9 to speak about what is on his mind, changes he will plan to make and things he will immediately do, and then asks the people for their support financially. I've seen these meetings get started. Between 500-1000 people in the neighborhood will come and listen. Many leave very excited about the changes that will perhaps be made.
I drove through a village town not far from here today. They were campaigning in town and the whole village was drawn to it. I would bet 4,000 people were walking along the street and gathering as it started. Many were already wearing the t-shirts that were given away to gain support. It does seem like the people enjoy these meetings.
But here are some of the drawbacks:
-First of all, the noise. It's tough to sleep when these meetings are going on til 1 am and are 30 feet from your bedroom.
-Next, we'll mention the idea of being a politician. They're all the same. They think they have a new idea, they want to do something a new way, but in the end they eat the money of the people. Politicians here want to do what everyone before them wanted to do: bring power, telephone, and water to all the people-even people in the villages. They also talk about lowering food prices. But they don't talk about improving education or health care, which should be their top priorities.
-and finally, the idea that the promises the politicans are making are things that they may not follow through on.
I do pray that this time of electing new local leaders will be a peaceful event. I will be sure to enjoy observing this on Sunday.
my week in review
This has been a busy week around here for me. I took time each day to go out into the villages and visit friends there. This led to some very good conversations as we shared pictures, took pictures together, shared stories, and talked about my faith and some of the prophets of the Old Testament. I'm always so happy to be able to share moments like this with my friends, and sharing the pictures that I have of my family seemed to be a great way to break the ice with my new friends in these village towns. And not only did I prepare to share pictures, but I also prepared to share a story from God's Word during these visits.
The story that I am sharing now talks about the faith Abraham had in God. As I tell the story of Abraham, I conclude by sharing about my faith in God and Jesus as his Son. So far I have had some very good conversations with my friends regarding Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I have gone over the hurdle of just being friends with people it seems to them knowing that I am a follower of Jesus and that I have come to share stories about the prophets and about Jesus with the people. When I introduce myself to a new person in the group, before I can add much to my story, someone shares that "he's a follower of Jesus." I see this as a distinguishing characteristic that my friends know about me, and I proudly hold on to that reputation. When people see me and tell me "you're a good person," and think of me as "a follower of Jesus," I give God the glory that I can be like Christ to my friends. Continue to pray for their hearts to be opened by God's Spirit as he speaks through me in these stories.
Ooo, also, I'd like to let you know that my supervisors-Elliott and Pat-along with myself, will be hosting a volunteer team next week. Please also pray for their safety in traveling and the work that they will be doing next week. I think we will be visiting villages and doing prayer walks during the 4 days they are here.
The story that I am sharing now talks about the faith Abraham had in God. As I tell the story of Abraham, I conclude by sharing about my faith in God and Jesus as his Son. So far I have had some very good conversations with my friends regarding Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I have gone over the hurdle of just being friends with people it seems to them knowing that I am a follower of Jesus and that I have come to share stories about the prophets and about Jesus with the people. When I introduce myself to a new person in the group, before I can add much to my story, someone shares that "he's a follower of Jesus." I see this as a distinguishing characteristic that my friends know about me, and I proudly hold on to that reputation. When people see me and tell me "you're a good person," and think of me as "a follower of Jesus," I give God the glory that I can be like Christ to my friends. Continue to pray for their hearts to be opened by God's Spirit as he speaks through me in these stories.
Ooo, also, I'd like to let you know that my supervisors-Elliott and Pat-along with myself, will be hosting a volunteer team next week. Please also pray for their safety in traveling and the work that they will be doing next week. I think we will be visiting villages and doing prayer walks during the 4 days they are here.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
synopsis of work
Howdy everyone! I thought I'd take a chance just to let you know some of the work that I'm doing. I'm doing this simply to help refocus prayer efforts more specifically on the friends and sharing that I am doing these days.
In my neighborhood, I am currently spending time with 3 families, a teacher, and 2 boutique workers. I'd like to begin sharing stories with these families, but I do notice that it seems to be most difficult to find the men of the house home. Most men work here in the village. Maybe this will lead to me doing a large group sharing time on Sunday afternoons 2x a month in my neighborhood, and I can specifically invite this group of people for this.
In the villages I have visited with 7 villages. I have one friend in a village that has introduced me to 4 of these. There are two neighbors that have introduced me to the village they were born in. This relationship with them has led to these villages being opened to me. I hope that soon I will get the opportunity to share with these people, too.
In the market of Ngay Mekhe, I have several friends that I am speaking with consistently as well. I spend time with a construction worker and his crew, a welder, a boutique worker, and my tailor.
These are all very close friends that I have, and I would say that I see each of these people at least every other week, usually more often than that. Some of our talks last only 30 minutes, other conversations can last up to 3 hours. Please continue to pray for me to stay encouraged in sharing stories with these people. The relationships are there and obviously I have a lot of people I can be sharing with. I hope that I'm able to take these friendships and enjoy the time I have with each person. Thanks for your prayers :)
In my neighborhood, I am currently spending time with 3 families, a teacher, and 2 boutique workers. I'd like to begin sharing stories with these families, but I do notice that it seems to be most difficult to find the men of the house home. Most men work here in the village. Maybe this will lead to me doing a large group sharing time on Sunday afternoons 2x a month in my neighborhood, and I can specifically invite this group of people for this.
In the villages I have visited with 7 villages. I have one friend in a village that has introduced me to 4 of these. There are two neighbors that have introduced me to the village they were born in. This relationship with them has led to these villages being opened to me. I hope that soon I will get the opportunity to share with these people, too.
In the market of Ngay Mekhe, I have several friends that I am speaking with consistently as well. I spend time with a construction worker and his crew, a welder, a boutique worker, and my tailor.
These are all very close friends that I have, and I would say that I see each of these people at least every other week, usually more often than that. Some of our talks last only 30 minutes, other conversations can last up to 3 hours. Please continue to pray for me to stay encouraged in sharing stories with these people. The relationships are there and obviously I have a lot of people I can be sharing with. I hope that I'm able to take these friendships and enjoy the time I have with each person. Thanks for your prayers :)
Monday, March 9, 2009
Gamu
This is a new word for the day: Gamu. So, out of curiosity, who knows what a Gamu is?
a)a Senegalese food dish
b) a hairy lizard that bobs its head up and down
c)a celebration
d)what people call the temperature when it's 120 degrees.
Three weeks ago, I wouldn't have known the answer either. A Gamu is a celebration. It's a once a year thing where people get together to celebrate the birth of Muhammad. During this time they eat and eat and eat and eat, they share stories about the year that passed and catch up with family members that they have not seen in awhile. And then they take time to reflect on what Muhammad and the prophets had spoken to all people.
Today I went to a Gamu. It was in a good size town but 15 miles (yes, 15) into the bush. We arrived with goodies for helping prepare lunch. And we took time to greet many people in the village.
Lately I have spent a lot of time with my homeowner and his family. They had wanted to go and celebrate the Gamu here, and I reluctancly agreed. For one, I'm still a little hesitant in celebrating Islamic festivities. And 2, I knew that there would be a billion people on the road today. When the roads are busy, it's best to stay in town. People are not good drivers here, and if something happens and you're stranded, it's a tough spot to be in. But all this aside, I did agree to go, and so we went.
We left at 12 and got there about 1. After greeting the friends and families we knew, we made our way around the village. I got 3 lunch meals-which is normal at these celebrations. Every family makes a ton of food and if you visit you're expected to eat with the family. So I ate (sparingly) each time. We ate one of my favorite meals, rice and beef (cebu yap-pronounce the 'c' sound like the ch consonant sound). One of the families was having a wedding celebration today, and we celebrated with the family during the afternoon. After lunch, the people in the bedroom we were all in sang songs and danced. I even got down and boogied (yes I just said boogied, I'll never do it again) 2 or 3 times. I wouldn't call it dancing, whatever it was I did. There were a ton of people in the 12 ft x 12 ft bedroom-at least 40. Least it wasn't too hot today. And after eating and drinking, we made our way back around greeting people again as we left to go home.
It was a long day today being in the village. But I was grateful for the time spent with my friends and my new friends in this village. My highlight that I have to share was probably 2 things. One was getting to dance and sing and the response I got from that. Everyone loved it and laughed really hard. And the other highlight was talking to a man before we left. When he found out I could speak Wolof, he asked me what I thought of the Gamu today and what I learned. That's the best question anyone can ask after any experience, by the way. So I opened up to him, reviewing all I did during the day and putting into words what I understood the celebration to signify. When I said that a Gamu is a time to review all the prophets have spoken, he said, ok, tell me, what story did you review? And this is EXACTLY why I had come to this town. You can't ask for a better invitation to share a story. All this work to prepare stories in Wolof and to share creation to cross, is in preparation for these times.
I asked permission to share a story, and this man agreed to let me speak. So I did, I opened up and shared with him the creation story as I have learned it, speaking loud enough for all 30 people in the room to hear. And after talking about Adam and Eve and their sin, and being kicked out of the Garden of Eden, I said, you know, God is a just God. And he is merciful. Adam and Eve saw that they cannot choose to satisfy themselves. Today, you and I cannot choose to satisfy ourselves. When we do not choose God, we sin. But God sent a Savior to the world to give us life again. His name is Jesus. And if we believe in Jesus, we can have life again. And I left it at that.
My 2 friends continued to talk about the story in more sophiticated Wolof than I can speak with the men in the room while I prayed silently for the words to be clear and the conversation to speak truth. My friends have heard this story several times, and I was confident they could talk about what I wanted to say. And I did interject a few more thoughts as well. But this was a great 15 minute highlight of the day.
Now I'm exhausted and I think my bed and a new James Bond book is calling me. Thanks again for your continued prayers. Last week was a tough week with missed appointments and unclear words. I do hope this is the start to a wonderful week of sharing this week.
a)a Senegalese food dish
b) a hairy lizard that bobs its head up and down
c)a celebration
d)what people call the temperature when it's 120 degrees.
Three weeks ago, I wouldn't have known the answer either. A Gamu is a celebration. It's a once a year thing where people get together to celebrate the birth of Muhammad. During this time they eat and eat and eat and eat, they share stories about the year that passed and catch up with family members that they have not seen in awhile. And then they take time to reflect on what Muhammad and the prophets had spoken to all people.
Today I went to a Gamu. It was in a good size town but 15 miles (yes, 15) into the bush. We arrived with goodies for helping prepare lunch. And we took time to greet many people in the village.
Lately I have spent a lot of time with my homeowner and his family. They had wanted to go and celebrate the Gamu here, and I reluctancly agreed. For one, I'm still a little hesitant in celebrating Islamic festivities. And 2, I knew that there would be a billion people on the road today. When the roads are busy, it's best to stay in town. People are not good drivers here, and if something happens and you're stranded, it's a tough spot to be in. But all this aside, I did agree to go, and so we went.
We left at 12 and got there about 1. After greeting the friends and families we knew, we made our way around the village. I got 3 lunch meals-which is normal at these celebrations. Every family makes a ton of food and if you visit you're expected to eat with the family. So I ate (sparingly) each time. We ate one of my favorite meals, rice and beef (cebu yap-pronounce the 'c' sound like the ch consonant sound). One of the families was having a wedding celebration today, and we celebrated with the family during the afternoon. After lunch, the people in the bedroom we were all in sang songs and danced. I even got down and boogied (yes I just said boogied, I'll never do it again) 2 or 3 times. I wouldn't call it dancing, whatever it was I did. There were a ton of people in the 12 ft x 12 ft bedroom-at least 40. Least it wasn't too hot today. And after eating and drinking, we made our way back around greeting people again as we left to go home.
It was a long day today being in the village. But I was grateful for the time spent with my friends and my new friends in this village. My highlight that I have to share was probably 2 things. One was getting to dance and sing and the response I got from that. Everyone loved it and laughed really hard. And the other highlight was talking to a man before we left. When he found out I could speak Wolof, he asked me what I thought of the Gamu today and what I learned. That's the best question anyone can ask after any experience, by the way. So I opened up to him, reviewing all I did during the day and putting into words what I understood the celebration to signify. When I said that a Gamu is a time to review all the prophets have spoken, he said, ok, tell me, what story did you review? And this is EXACTLY why I had come to this town. You can't ask for a better invitation to share a story. All this work to prepare stories in Wolof and to share creation to cross, is in preparation for these times.
I asked permission to share a story, and this man agreed to let me speak. So I did, I opened up and shared with him the creation story as I have learned it, speaking loud enough for all 30 people in the room to hear. And after talking about Adam and Eve and their sin, and being kicked out of the Garden of Eden, I said, you know, God is a just God. And he is merciful. Adam and Eve saw that they cannot choose to satisfy themselves. Today, you and I cannot choose to satisfy ourselves. When we do not choose God, we sin. But God sent a Savior to the world to give us life again. His name is Jesus. And if we believe in Jesus, we can have life again. And I left it at that.
My 2 friends continued to talk about the story in more sophiticated Wolof than I can speak with the men in the room while I prayed silently for the words to be clear and the conversation to speak truth. My friends have heard this story several times, and I was confident they could talk about what I wanted to say. And I did interject a few more thoughts as well. But this was a great 15 minute highlight of the day.
Now I'm exhausted and I think my bed and a new James Bond book is calling me. Thanks again for your continued prayers. Last week was a tough week with missed appointments and unclear words. I do hope this is the start to a wonderful week of sharing this week.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
our new AGS
Yesterday I went to Dakar for a meeting with our new Affinity Group Strategist (AGS), Tim Clearley, along with his wife, Charlotte. I was first very happy to find that they are very ordinary people, very humble people who realize the challenge and enormosity of the job they have before them. Tim will be the lead strategist for all of Sub-Saharian Africa. It will be his job as we move forward to see that the advancement of the gospel is efficient and effective. My prayers go out to him and Charlotte as they transition into this assignment.
Tim is an NC State grad! Right then and there he had my love! He is also very passionate for lost people. I know that will drive him in this new position.
Tim and Charlotte are traveling to various places in West Africa to greet many of the missionaries working here. Through these meetings he is telling his testimony and introducing some of the new ideas that his team is currently working on. Through the meeting yesterday I was able to hear his story and hear him tell of the plans they are continuing to work on. And I was excited to be a part of this meeting. Being the lowest member of the totem pole, I often would not get called in on something like this in other businesses. I thought our gathering was very productive yesterday.
So Tim and Charlotte, you have my prayers as you continue to set goals and meet deadlines, as you travel and as you learn some of the challenges we do face in sharing the gospel here in Africa. Along with you, our #1 goal is that all peoples, tribes, nations, and tongues will hear and know of Jesus as the Savior and Messiah.
Tim is an NC State grad! Right then and there he had my love! He is also very passionate for lost people. I know that will drive him in this new position.
Tim and Charlotte are traveling to various places in West Africa to greet many of the missionaries working here. Through these meetings he is telling his testimony and introducing some of the new ideas that his team is currently working on. Through the meeting yesterday I was able to hear his story and hear him tell of the plans they are continuing to work on. And I was excited to be a part of this meeting. Being the lowest member of the totem pole, I often would not get called in on something like this in other businesses. I thought our gathering was very productive yesterday.
So Tim and Charlotte, you have my prayers as you continue to set goals and meet deadlines, as you travel and as you learn some of the challenges we do face in sharing the gospel here in Africa. Along with you, our #1 goal is that all peoples, tribes, nations, and tongues will hear and know of Jesus as the Savior and Messiah.
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