A new believer will join us at the gathering…

The team had the ability to sleep a tad bit later today, and as opposed to the 5:30 am alarm, we had a 7:30 am alarm. We had the anticipation of a time of praise and worship at Pastor N’Gor’s church this morning. For most of us, it has been two weeks since we’ve had the privilege to worship the Lord in His church, and having the opportunity to do so with our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Sedhiou is something to celebrate!

As we entered the gates of the church and entered to sit, the team all agreed that something had changed since the last time that we had been here… it was more full! They have added pews, and a couple rows of chairs to the front, and this morning, they were all full! Praise God! The service was amazing, and later I pondered how I could even express it in words. There was a time of introductions, a time of worship with song (the American toubobs even sang a couple on the fly. Thank goodness all songs are beautiful unto the Lord!). The team jokes that white men don’t have rhythm to worship to the beat of the African drum…not even the AG guy J Pastor Ryan delivered an wonderful message from Isaiah 66, reminding us that there will be a gathering called upon by the Lord, and in reality, there will be two. There will be a gathering where all who do not believe upon Jesus will be sent to burn with a fire that never goes out; and there will be another, where the ones who have called upon the name of the Lord shall be saved to live a life in eternity with Him. Which gathering will you attend, he asked? As he concluded the message with that question, and invited Pastor N’Gor to provide an invitation, there was one that came, and it was a direct answer to prayer. Today, Pastor Ryan had the privilege of leading Immanuel Mendy, the school master who has been helping us all week in Bamacounda, in the sinner’s prayer. As far as we know, Mr. Mendy is only the second believer in Bamacounda, and he has daily access to over 80 children! They have been having Bible study once weekly, and the openness to the gospel is spreading throughout the town… Praise God! I am reminded how God can use children in amazing ways to reach their parents, and I believe the same will be true here. After Mr. Mendy prayed to receive Christ, a new hope erupted in that place, and there was once again worship around the throne. There were drums and tambourines (thank you, Tommy- Pastor and the church cannot express enough gratitude), and singing and dancing in the aisles. There were tears, there were smiles, there were hands lifted high, and prayers of thanksgiving being offered. I truly wish that there was a way that we could replicate that for you…but you will have to come, experience to believe.

This afternoon, after enjoying a meal at the river house, we traveled to the KM village to deliver a love offering of medications and coloring books to the children there. We were greeted by the school master as well as many village children. The school director proudly showed us around the school; as we were touring, we found coloring pages of Jesus and His story, as well as fish to represent the call to follow Him colorfully displayed, carefully hung over the ceilings in the classroom. Because we were headed to set up in Sansamba, our time there was short, but a blessing none the less. I know that for the November team present on this trip, it was a real blessing to see the fruits of their labors hanging proudly on the ceilings of the school of this small African village. God is here.

We traveled to Sansamba to set up the clinic for an early start tomorrow. It is difficult for me to explain, but the team agrees there is a spirit of darkness over this place. We were welcomed with traditional singing and dancing and drums, and were escorted to our place under the large tree that we had gathered before to be greeted by the elders. As Pastor Ryan attempted to share the salvation message and a prayer over them, there was much unrest. It was loud and unsettled, and as he said “Let us pray,” a large commotion occurred where men were shooing their children away so as not to hear. It was overheard in French “we cannot let the children here this.” I share this not to create negativity about this place in your hearts, but to create a space for persistent prayer for the darkness to be penetrated by the Holy Spirit. Tomorrow, we will wear the armor of the Lord as we hold clinic. We will arrive with a plan to share God’s love with them, to provide for their physical and spiritual health to the best of our ability, and do so with the prayer that even one may hear of the hope God has for them in Jesus Christ. Until tomorrow…

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” Ephesians 6:10-15