The team had the privilege of going to the only Evangelical church in Sedhiou. The pastor, N’gor Mac N’gom, has been the one God selected to be the interpretor for Tom Myers the last 5 months. It was such a sweet time! The service had to be translated into 3 languages (English, French, and Balant) because of the diversity of people groups. The Holy Spirit was so evident! For me, the most moving part of the service is when Tom got up to express his gratitude and love the Pastor N’gom and the church. He chose to sing a song to express some of what he wanted to convey. I’m not sure the exact name of the hymn but the chorus sings… “my house is full but my fields are empty. Who will go and work for me today?” Needless to say there were tears flowing down my face! The magnitude of that reality was so great sitting there so few believers in such humbling circumstances. Yet, as Tom stated, if anyone could “sing the Holy Spirit down” that church can! Dr Ray, I tried my best to get a little video of that for you. Dr. Nathan Barber preached on the passage in Luke 7 about the women who came “prepared to worship”, totally broken at the feet of our Saviour. She “positioned” herself humbly behind the Master and at his feet, willing to pour out all she had. My thoughts and senses could not take in the fullness of that must mean for the members of that church. They are a minute few with such meager means. They truly know the reality of “giving your all”!!! We at home could learn so much from them! They are so loving and gracious to us. I have included a picture of Pastor N’gor and his family in front of the parsonage. Oh how I love his smile!!
Two other highlights in the service was a presentation made by both Sam and Pastor N’gom.
First, a donation had been made at home for N’gor’s church. Pastor Sam explained how God had used the love of a fellow believer to make provision for their church. Tom shared with us that he and N’gor had been praying that God would some how raise up what they needed to have electrical power. They had shown the Jesus film by a generator. God heard and answered that prayer! A direct result of several men’s obedience to God!! Thank-you LORD!!!! After Sam made his presentation, Pastor N’gom present the full African male dress (I think it’s called a BoBo?), including shoes and hat to Tom, as a way to express the church’s love and gratitude to Tom. There aren’t words to type to express the emotion in that room when those two men embraced each other with the love of Christ as their strongest bond!
The rest of the day was just as full and eventful. We were able to visit a new village that Tom had shown the Jesus film in. This small village has an estimated number of 4,000 Mandyaku people in it. When you look at the village you mind can’t even fathom that there are 4,000 people living there. One of Tom’s students lives in this village and introduced Tom to these lovely people about a week ago. The student’s name is Moussa, he is now on lesson 3 of the TRT training. We will have the privilege of returning to that village tomorrow afternoon to spend time w/the Chief. Please be in prayer concerning that.
After we left the village around 7 pm we returned to Sedhiou and had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor of Sediou, Dr. Kuente, and a few other public officials to begin the process of bringing another medical team over in Jan ‘09. This meeting was topped off by the Mayor extending his hospitality to us by providing the team dinner in his home. He and his wife went to great measures to lavish us with a meal “for royalty”. I am always taken back by their generosity and gratitude.
Billy Windham, one of the members from Missisippi, was extended the opportunity to serve w/the medical team from Georgia. He is a nurse practitioner and has done medical missions in Kenya. He was here on a vision trip w/us to assess what the possibilties were for doing medical missions here. How gracious our Father has been to have a medical team here in place w/Fran and Richard in order to show Billy firsthand what that looks like!!How exciting is that!?!
We are all extremely tired yet so grateful for the opportunities that the Lord bestowed upon us!
Tomorrow we are planning to go to 2 different villages where students that Tom has been teaching live. I will also begin making the necessary contacts with officials for the medical trip in Jan. Continue to pray that we will be able to share the gospel of Christ just as Sam was able to yesterday in Moussa’s village. Also pray that everyday our driver, another “Moussa”, will see the Holy Spirit that lives in us. Also pray that I will speak HIS words when I meet with the official regarding the medical team. Billy will go out w/the team from Georgia again tomorrow. They saw 200 pts yesterday and tomorrow will be even greater.
We love everyone and send special greetings to our families. Without you love and support we would not be able to do this. We sense the prayer coverage in so many ways!
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people…” Luke 2:30-31.
For His Kingdom,
Cindy
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