Our final day in Baumacounda- Saturday

The team arose this morning with some trepidation about what the day would bring. We were anticipating our last day in Bamacounda, and probably even more than that, we were anticipating having to pull away from the place we had called home for 4 days, the people that we had grown to love, and a people that had filled our hearts with a new hope. I think that often, when going on a mission trip of any kind, we often feel a sense of pride; the idea that WE are going to help people somehow. But in reality, the team comes away with a bigger heart for sharing God’s love, a glimpse of new hope in Jesus, and the African people have given that to us.

Our day was as successful as it could be as we continued to see patients with all kinds of diagnoses. We had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Konte, the Chief of medicine over the entire Sedhiou region. It is always enlightening to speak with the local physicians, as though our eyes have seen the need as we look around, the statistics paint a new picture. In the Sedhiou region, the population is more than 400,000 people, and they are served by one general practitioner, one surgeon, and one dentist. Additionally, there are only 8 midwives serving birthing women in the population. With these statistics, the infant mortality rate is the highest in all of Senegal. As you absorb all of this information, and take a look all around at the faces of the people you have been caring for, it gives you an ache in your heart to return to them. Their need is great, and the resources few. But even more than that, their spiritual needs are greater, and the need to spread the gospel in this place is now, and it is urgent.

We had another two cases that had to go to the hospital today, a severe inguinal hernia and an advanced state of Parkinson’s disease. It is always difficult as a team to decide if a trip to the hospital, especially in advanced cases such as these, is necessary. Often for these people, travel to the hospital is hard and long, often by donkey cart or on foot. It is expensive for them, and compliance with follow up is rare. To receive care of any kind at the local hospital, even in an emergency, you must pay up front. You will receive only the care and medications that you are able to buy in advance, including IV fluids, sutures, x-ray films, and all medications. Additionally, the family must have a caregiver stay with the patient at all times to feed them, bathe them, and perform all the tasks that we assume “comes with the package.” Often, if the family can find the resources to go to the hospital for care, it is likely that when they will not be able to afford to go back for a “recheck” so to say. Where we would not dream of not going to the Dr. for advanced disease, the people here often do not have a choice to go because of their circumstance. It is yet another reminder to us to be thankful for the country in which we live. Although we will never know why we were the “chosen ones” to live in a country flowing with riches, it comes with a price. To those who receive much, much is expected.

As the clinic wrapped up for the day, a calm came over the place. It was an answer from God. There was no fighting, no riot for those who were not seen. There was only appreciation for what we had done. After the clinic was packed up, we had the pleasure of spending time, sitting amongst the locals in celebration. It is a time of unity, a time where cultures come together in love and admiration. As we gathered around in a circle, we celebrated God’s love for us with music, singing, and dancing. The team was presented with a love offering from the community of Bamacounda, a goat (a seemingly pregnant goat, none the less), and many thanks from the Imam’s and the elders. Pastor Ryan had the opportunity to preach the gospel to a sand lot full of African’s. It was an uncompromised presentation of the salvation message, translated into 3 languages. As we reflected on that time later, Dr. Soh pointed out that our Baptist preacher was standing in front of the gates to a mosque, with all of the Islamic religious leaders present, at exactly the time that the call to prayer occurred. Not one person left the circle to answer that call, but instead they sat captivated to hear how Jesus was the one and only way to have everlasting life with our Lord. It was an amazing site to behold. What a privilege that God placed us in His plan at this time and place. A church will be built in this place.

Our reflection period was as revealing as usual, and was a time to reflect, share our hopes for this place, and to refocus our minds and hearts on the people of Sansamba. We pray that they will also have hearts and eyes to see the message we bring them as we go to serve them and proclaim the gospel Sunday and Monday. In the words of our Pastor, “If the door is shut, we will turn and shake the dust from our feet; if the doors are opened, we will change lives.” Either way we must keep sewing the seed. Please pray that we are able to share a new hope in Sansamba.

The team is well; we continue to pray for and miss all of you. We send our love, hugs and kisses. Please continue to pray for us, as well. For our health and safety; for Pastor Ryan as he delivers a message at Pastor N’Gor’s church in the morning (Sunday), that the words will glorify Jesus and all He has done; pray for the people of Bamacounda, that the words that they have heard will penetrate their hardened hearts and a new hope will be found in Jesus; pray for those that have not yet heard; pray for the people of Sansamba, that the Lord has prepared their hearts to receive more than just temporal treatment from this team; pray for Christian leaders in these places who are not afraid to be bold in proclaiming the Word. Until tomorrow…

After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believe the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’ s field. You are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9