This week was a slightly different week for me. Our Wolof team meets periodically to discuss events, keep our tasks up to date, and relate ministry items with each other. Usually we meet 4 times a year.
This meeting lasted 2 days and we mostly discussed strategies for reaching the Wolof people. We talked about volunteer groups, partnering churches, current things that we are all involved in, as well as other things less exciting. It was an effective 2 day meeting, though I think we were all exhausted at the end of it.
Whenever I am in Dakar, I try to see a few of my many friends. I was able to enjoy time with the Reynolds and the Foremans, and I got to spend time each night I was there with the 2 evening guards whom I made friends with while I was in language learning several months ago. I was hoping to go by and see my 'dad' PJ but after not sleeping well the night before, I missed that opportunity. I'll be in town for a day next week, and maybe I can get there early enough to catch him before he goes off to work. I'll try. I want to update him with things and hear how he is doing.
While writing this post, I'll ask for a prayer request. Please pray for my feet to begin to heal. Since June there has been blister after blister on them which limit my mobility. I've wanted to play soccer, walk the streets, and enjoy my neighborhood. But when I don't sleep well for my feet throbbing, when I'm getting ingrown toenails that I've never gotten before, or when I can barely walk around my house I am beginning to realize that this is probably spiritual warfare that I am dealing with. Please pray with me that this will go away quickly so I can feel more effective in my ministry.
Thanks so much for reading and for your prayers.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
the latest sharing news
These are my latest opportunities of sharing with my friends. These stories feature:
-me!
-my weekly guard
-Mr. T, my welding friend
-and the adult children of my home owner.
and ACTION:
I've had some good conversations with my guard, with the youth at the house of my homeowner, and with the metal worker and his helpers on their relationship with God. I'll start with my guard. He's seen a More than Dreams DVD testimony-a true story about a Muslim who converted to Christianity, and he was asking questions after the dvd. They put a lot of emphasis on dreams here, and if Jesus speaks to them in a dream, they do seek him from others. I've shared with him some. I have asked him about his prayer beeds. He says he has to pray 1947 times a day! And I asked him what he's praying that much. He's saying 'forgive me' that many times...that's his prayer. His pastor (sereen) told him to do that. I'm working with him, and we'll continue to talk.
The homeowner and his family I have had some success with them. A month or so ago I was eating lunch with them, and went with one of the boys to his bedroom to have tea. While he was making tea and waiting for the water to boil he said his afternoon prayers. He read them aloud, but I noticed how fast he was reading. And I asked him why he rushed through the prayers? Was he praying what was on his heart? I was honestly curious. And he showed me his prayer book and that he's to pray through it daily, reading in Arabic. I asked him what it read, and he said he didn't know, just that he was to pray through it. So I shared that when I pray to God I pray what is on my heart, and I pray from my heart. Written prayers are ok, but I know that God loves me enough to want to hear from my heart. And when I pray, I talk to God with importance.
He seemed to understand that. We've talked since, and he's been with me when I've talked with others in his family, and he seems to be echoing what I try to say to his brothers and sisters. When they were asking questions and I would try to explain my answers, he'd speak more eloquently than I was able to. I'm going to have to start telling them stories, and maybe I have found someone that can be a helper.
The welder and his helpers have been much the same as the homeowner's kids. The welder wants to hear stories, and I am trying to build my relationship with him as well as simply tell truth now when I get the chance. He's helped me by asking his helpers not to talk so firm when they talk with me. I don't mind the firmness as much as they speak so fast and are so close to me when they talk (6 inches from my nose) that he helps me to tell them that we can learn from each other, and to have a conversation about our faith in God.
So that's where I am with those relationships. Please keep us in your prayers. Some days I feel like I'm close in getting them to understand, and other days it's as if I have to start over. I do care a lot about these individuals, and would love to see their hearts change.
-me!
-my weekly guard
-Mr. T, my welding friend
-and the adult children of my home owner.
and ACTION:
I've had some good conversations with my guard, with the youth at the house of my homeowner, and with the metal worker and his helpers on their relationship with God. I'll start with my guard. He's seen a More than Dreams DVD testimony-a true story about a Muslim who converted to Christianity, and he was asking questions after the dvd. They put a lot of emphasis on dreams here, and if Jesus speaks to them in a dream, they do seek him from others. I've shared with him some. I have asked him about his prayer beeds. He says he has to pray 1947 times a day! And I asked him what he's praying that much. He's saying 'forgive me' that many times...that's his prayer. His pastor (sereen) told him to do that. I'm working with him, and we'll continue to talk.
The homeowner and his family I have had some success with them. A month or so ago I was eating lunch with them, and went with one of the boys to his bedroom to have tea. While he was making tea and waiting for the water to boil he said his afternoon prayers. He read them aloud, but I noticed how fast he was reading. And I asked him why he rushed through the prayers? Was he praying what was on his heart? I was honestly curious. And he showed me his prayer book and that he's to pray through it daily, reading in Arabic. I asked him what it read, and he said he didn't know, just that he was to pray through it. So I shared that when I pray to God I pray what is on my heart, and I pray from my heart. Written prayers are ok, but I know that God loves me enough to want to hear from my heart. And when I pray, I talk to God with importance.
He seemed to understand that. We've talked since, and he's been with me when I've talked with others in his family, and he seems to be echoing what I try to say to his brothers and sisters. When they were asking questions and I would try to explain my answers, he'd speak more eloquently than I was able to. I'm going to have to start telling them stories, and maybe I have found someone that can be a helper.
The welder and his helpers have been much the same as the homeowner's kids. The welder wants to hear stories, and I am trying to build my relationship with him as well as simply tell truth now when I get the chance. He's helped me by asking his helpers not to talk so firm when they talk with me. I don't mind the firmness as much as they speak so fast and are so close to me when they talk (6 inches from my nose) that he helps me to tell them that we can learn from each other, and to have a conversation about our faith in God.
So that's where I am with those relationships. Please keep us in your prayers. Some days I feel like I'm close in getting them to understand, and other days it's as if I have to start over. I do care a lot about these individuals, and would love to see their hearts change.
An adventurous day...sometimes a typical day.
I'll tell you about my adventerous day this week. It was a thursday, like any typical thursday (ok, I'll stop with the Dragnet cameo). After studying Wolof I went out to work in the yard. I have a lamp that I wanted to replace, and some weeds I was going to get up. So after pulling the weeds I worked on the lamp. The lamp was too high for me to reach standing on a chair, and since I don't have a ladder I decided it was best to stand on the tailgate of my truck to hang the light. But when I went to start my truck, it wouldn't start.
I noticed when I turned the key to warm the glow plug I notice the gas needle didn't move-it stayed on empty. It didn't even move up to empty. First time it has not registered, it registered 3/4 of a tank last time I drove it on Sunday. But I wasn't concerned, needles go bad all the time. The truck fired up when I first cranked it, then stalled out. Old truck, been sitting for a week, I wasn't concerned about the stall. And cranked it again. This time, it wouldn't turn over. So I'm thinking the battery, and call my supervisor over to jump me with his truck. Well he comes over and says "you're not getting any gas" and I tell him again about the gas needle. He says, wow, somebody got you. But you can't cyphen every drop of gas from a tank, surely it will register something. And it did turn over, I have to think it's something else. But he suggested we fill a gas tank and put some gas in. After doing that, and pumping the fuel pump, it cranked. So now I'm thinking, yes, somebody did steal my gas and I'll need to go and get some more. My tank holds 40 liters and I was going to buy 20. However (this is the weird part), the tank only held 10 liters, 1/4 of the tank. So there was gas in the truck the whole time. It's never gone bad like that before, never even had a problem cranking. Anyway, got it running again and drove for 30 minutes to warm up the engine. I haven't driven it out of Mekhe since my trip to go shopping 2 or 3 weeks ago. Anyway, now I'll have to keep a close eye on my trip odometer to fill up with gas regularly. And I'm guessing I'll be driving my truck a little more regularly so this doesn't happen again. Least I know how to fix it now.
After that, I did use the truck to fix the lamp. I'll tell you about houses here. Everything is cement-cement walls, cement foundation, cement roofs. Typically they'll put rebarb in the walls as they pour the concrete to make the walls firm. However, the cement on my house is very soft. The last light I hung was very easy to hang. This one, I found the concrete to be quite firm. I was hanging it outside my guard's room-he has a separate building from my house but in my yard. I had some of the neighborhood kids hanging around with me and we talked while I worked on my truck and while I fixed the lamp. 2 of them were saying that I needed to buy some nails to punch into the cement. So I went with them to a hardware store to buy some. And we came back and I was able to hang the lamp, no problems. That was fun working with the kids. I gave them candy for helping.
Then with the work around the house finished, I went for a walk in the market. I saw my welder friend, my shop keeper friend, picked up my shirt I had made, and got a haircut. I had never met the man who cut my hair before. He is Nigerian-didn't know we had any Nigerians in town-and wanted to speak English with me. So I was ok with that. The haircut is a little short-I'd been letting my hair grow out for the last 5 months. My hair grows really slow, and the top is thinner than the sides. I don't like long hair on the side of my head, but don't mind combing the top. I have a military haircut now :) And that's ok with me, this is the way I always cut my hair in college.
So after my adventurous day, I came home, talked with my guard-we also watched XMen. I ate supper, exercised, and went to bed. And that's been a typical day for me this week...I'll study in the mornings, go out after lunch time and visit. I am trying to be respectful of the people during their fast and not even buy food during the day here. Everyone is fasting, in fact it's the first thing they'll ask me when they greet me. I'm having to say that as my testimony quite a lot this week, and I'm grateful for the opportunities to share my faith in Jesus as the only way to gain salvation. Of course they put their faith in the works they do. It's sad how they are caught up in the religion.
I noticed when I turned the key to warm the glow plug I notice the gas needle didn't move-it stayed on empty. It didn't even move up to empty. First time it has not registered, it registered 3/4 of a tank last time I drove it on Sunday. But I wasn't concerned, needles go bad all the time. The truck fired up when I first cranked it, then stalled out. Old truck, been sitting for a week, I wasn't concerned about the stall. And cranked it again. This time, it wouldn't turn over. So I'm thinking the battery, and call my supervisor over to jump me with his truck. Well he comes over and says "you're not getting any gas" and I tell him again about the gas needle. He says, wow, somebody got you. But you can't cyphen every drop of gas from a tank, surely it will register something. And it did turn over, I have to think it's something else. But he suggested we fill a gas tank and put some gas in. After doing that, and pumping the fuel pump, it cranked. So now I'm thinking, yes, somebody did steal my gas and I'll need to go and get some more. My tank holds 40 liters and I was going to buy 20. However (this is the weird part), the tank only held 10 liters, 1/4 of the tank. So there was gas in the truck the whole time. It's never gone bad like that before, never even had a problem cranking. Anyway, got it running again and drove for 30 minutes to warm up the engine. I haven't driven it out of Mekhe since my trip to go shopping 2 or 3 weeks ago. Anyway, now I'll have to keep a close eye on my trip odometer to fill up with gas regularly. And I'm guessing I'll be driving my truck a little more regularly so this doesn't happen again. Least I know how to fix it now.
After that, I did use the truck to fix the lamp. I'll tell you about houses here. Everything is cement-cement walls, cement foundation, cement roofs. Typically they'll put rebarb in the walls as they pour the concrete to make the walls firm. However, the cement on my house is very soft. The last light I hung was very easy to hang. This one, I found the concrete to be quite firm. I was hanging it outside my guard's room-he has a separate building from my house but in my yard. I had some of the neighborhood kids hanging around with me and we talked while I worked on my truck and while I fixed the lamp. 2 of them were saying that I needed to buy some nails to punch into the cement. So I went with them to a hardware store to buy some. And we came back and I was able to hang the lamp, no problems. That was fun working with the kids. I gave them candy for helping.
Then with the work around the house finished, I went for a walk in the market. I saw my welder friend, my shop keeper friend, picked up my shirt I had made, and got a haircut. I had never met the man who cut my hair before. He is Nigerian-didn't know we had any Nigerians in town-and wanted to speak English with me. So I was ok with that. The haircut is a little short-I'd been letting my hair grow out for the last 5 months. My hair grows really slow, and the top is thinner than the sides. I don't like long hair on the side of my head, but don't mind combing the top. I have a military haircut now :) And that's ok with me, this is the way I always cut my hair in college.
So after my adventurous day, I came home, talked with my guard-we also watched XMen. I ate supper, exercised, and went to bed. And that's been a typical day for me this week...I'll study in the mornings, go out after lunch time and visit. I am trying to be respectful of the people during their fast and not even buy food during the day here. Everyone is fasting, in fact it's the first thing they'll ask me when they greet me. I'm having to say that as my testimony quite a lot this week, and I'm grateful for the opportunities to share my faith in Jesus as the only way to gain salvation. Of course they put their faith in the works they do. It's sad how they are caught up in the religion.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
West African Cardboard Testimonies
these are testimonies of fellow missionaries here in West Africa. The signs relate to the lives the missionaries left behind to serve in West Africa. Take a look, I hope they touch your heart.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The cat...didn't come back (warning, sad story)
I've told a few of you that I had a cat living in the yard lately. The mom cat had her litter in a brush pile I had in the side of the yard. Later in the month I noticed one kitten and the mom still hanging around the yard. They began to spend a lot of time here. I was ok with it, but told myself, "just don't feed the cat." The kitten began to grow. I enjoyed watching it play with crickets at night in the yard, and try to climb the tree. I'd shew it away when it tried climbing my front porch screen.
Well one day I was cleaning around the yard and walked up close to the cats. The mom hissed (wild cat, she always does that), and immediately started coughing. And I thought, oh no, she's sick while she's nursing. So my heavy heart decided to put some milk out for her. After an hour or so she was curious enough to try it, and drank probably 4 ounces-quite a bit. And as I put out the milk I was telling myself, 'now I'm attached.'
The next day, I'm driving my vehicle to Elliott's for church, and as I pack my things in the truck, the cats are on the truck. So I shooed them away. Then I start my vehicle and begin to back out of the garage. Keep in mind that this is a diesel truck with a loud engine. Well, the kitten came back, and yep, went right to the curious spot of the moving tire. Only the wrong side apparently. As I looked over the hood of my truck I could see it struggle for it's last breath-I'm not even sure what I ran over, maybe it's head. I wanted to cry, and I wanted to say some inappropriate words-I was mad and sad at the same time. So I buried the kitten. Mom cat saw the whole thing. After the burial she was looking all over for her kitten. Her kitten never came back. She was very sad for 3 days.
So that's the story of the cat. I'm not a cat fan, never have been. But I do have a soft spot for all animals (except snakes). I won't attach myself to cats because if I do I feed the neighborhood. It's the same reason I don't give money or loan money to anyone. I figured I would nurse the cat to health, and then no longer feed it, but I did get attached. I miss the kitten.
Well one day I was cleaning around the yard and walked up close to the cats. The mom hissed (wild cat, she always does that), and immediately started coughing. And I thought, oh no, she's sick while she's nursing. So my heavy heart decided to put some milk out for her. After an hour or so she was curious enough to try it, and drank probably 4 ounces-quite a bit. And as I put out the milk I was telling myself, 'now I'm attached.'
The next day, I'm driving my vehicle to Elliott's for church, and as I pack my things in the truck, the cats are on the truck. So I shooed them away. Then I start my vehicle and begin to back out of the garage. Keep in mind that this is a diesel truck with a loud engine. Well, the kitten came back, and yep, went right to the curious spot of the moving tire. Only the wrong side apparently. As I looked over the hood of my truck I could see it struggle for it's last breath-I'm not even sure what I ran over, maybe it's head. I wanted to cry, and I wanted to say some inappropriate words-I was mad and sad at the same time. So I buried the kitten. Mom cat saw the whole thing. After the burial she was looking all over for her kitten. Her kitten never came back. She was very sad for 3 days.
So that's the story of the cat. I'm not a cat fan, never have been. But I do have a soft spot for all animals (except snakes). I won't attach myself to cats because if I do I feed the neighborhood. It's the same reason I don't give money or loan money to anyone. I figured I would nurse the cat to health, and then no longer feed it, but I did get attached. I miss the kitten.
Ramadan
Starting September 2nd Muslims here and around the world begin Ramadan, a month long fast where each person will not eat or drink during daylight hours. This is a chance for them to try and please their God by giving up food and water. The people will go about their normal routine during the day, and then at the end of the day have a big meal with family. During the day they are typically somber and typically on edge in their conversations. By the end of the day many are complaining of being hungry and tired.
-please pray for times to share during this month. Each day as I venture out the first thing people will ask is, "are you fasting?" I am able to share that as a follower of Jesus I do fast, but I am not fasting for this month. Pray for me to be bold as I continue to find other words to say about my faith relating to fasting.
-pray for the hearts of the people. When they are asking each person daily "are you fasting" they are going against Jesus' teaching of fasting in secret and only letting God know. They are trying to do good works rather than serving God with their hearts.
-pray for the health of the people. It is hot this month, and it is still raining. Besides the germs that are predominant this time of year, also remember the people as they go without food and water during the day, yet still work in the fields and in their mechanic shops. Hard labor is especially tough when you are dehydrated. Pray that they will rest when they can, and they will be smart about taking their time as they work.
-please pray for times to share during this month. Each day as I venture out the first thing people will ask is, "are you fasting?" I am able to share that as a follower of Jesus I do fast, but I am not fasting for this month. Pray for me to be bold as I continue to find other words to say about my faith relating to fasting.
-pray for the hearts of the people. When they are asking each person daily "are you fasting" they are going against Jesus' teaching of fasting in secret and only letting God know. They are trying to do good works rather than serving God with their hearts.
-pray for the health of the people. It is hot this month, and it is still raining. Besides the germs that are predominant this time of year, also remember the people as they go without food and water during the day, yet still work in the fields and in their mechanic shops. Hard labor is especially tough when you are dehydrated. Pray that they will rest when they can, and they will be smart about taking their time as they work.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Trip to Abidjan
We recently had our annual meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. There all the missionaries in West Africa got together to discuss various strategies for effective entry, effective discipleship and church planting. We had time for worship and time to get together as teams to discuss other matters of ministry. Overall it was a great time to be encouraged by meeting other missionaries, hearing their stories, and sharing a little about my work with others.
Some highlights of the week include getting to meet many of the other journeymen. There are various teams of journey girls who live in remote parts of West Africa and work together to tell stories. These ladies are my heroes. They live in extreme conditions for several weeks at the time, teaching lessons in the native tongue of the people. I live in a village, but the living conditions are nothing like what these ladies deal with every day. And it was great to get to hear how they are making the stories come to life to their people.
I also enjoyed time with Erik, my other fellow journeyman. Erik's quite the character, and being around him always lifts my spirits. We got to talk about his classes and we discussed most nights what we talked about in large group that day.
One day all the single journey guys and girls went to the beach. I really enjoyed the trip to the beach-to wade in the dirty water, to throw frisbee, and collect sand dollars. We also had a nice lunch and had a good day together to rest. The only problem was that after the day in the sun I was so exhausted that I missed the next morning's session.
Another highlight was playing pool with Elliot, my supervisor. We have been talking about playing pool for awhile now. Finally we found a table to play on-although it was not a good table at all. The cushions were falling apart, the sticks did not have good tips, and the pockets were falling apart. But despite the conditions we were competitive and had a good time. Yea, I beat him bad one day. The next day he beat me. We're going to have to find another place to play here in Senegal.
I really enjoyed meeting all the missionaries that I came across in Abidjan. I made some friends that will last a liftetime and look forward to renewing those relationships when it is possible. My prayers are with you all!
Some highlights of the week include getting to meet many of the other journeymen. There are various teams of journey girls who live in remote parts of West Africa and work together to tell stories. These ladies are my heroes. They live in extreme conditions for several weeks at the time, teaching lessons in the native tongue of the people. I live in a village, but the living conditions are nothing like what these ladies deal with every day. And it was great to get to hear how they are making the stories come to life to their people.
I also enjoyed time with Erik, my other fellow journeyman. Erik's quite the character, and being around him always lifts my spirits. We got to talk about his classes and we discussed most nights what we talked about in large group that day.
One day all the single journey guys and girls went to the beach. I really enjoyed the trip to the beach-to wade in the dirty water, to throw frisbee, and collect sand dollars. We also had a nice lunch and had a good day together to rest. The only problem was that after the day in the sun I was so exhausted that I missed the next morning's session.
Another highlight was playing pool with Elliot, my supervisor. We have been talking about playing pool for awhile now. Finally we found a table to play on-although it was not a good table at all. The cushions were falling apart, the sticks did not have good tips, and the pockets were falling apart. But despite the conditions we were competitive and had a good time. Yea, I beat him bad one day. The next day he beat me. We're going to have to find another place to play here in Senegal.
I really enjoyed meeting all the missionaries that I came across in Abidjan. I made some friends that will last a liftetime and look forward to renewing those relationships when it is possible. My prayers are with you all!
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