Taking care of business

Ibrihima and Pedro

Tening Sanding and her husband Famara

It doesn’t take much time in Africa to realize what priceless commodity electricity is. Fortunately we have had it most nights, making it much more pleasant to sleep. During the day it has been off quite a bit. Between that, and the cyber café being closed for rest and prayer from 1-3 pm, and then closes at 6:00 it has been a challenge to post the blog.

Sunday night after the glorious Easter celebration we had an unexpected visit from Rosa (the little burned girl) and her mother. I never cease to be amazed that the entire region seems to know when I’m in town!

Yesterday (Monday), we went to Bouno, the village where Tening Sanding and her husband, Famara, live. They are the parents of the infant who passed away in Jan. They were so happy to see us! We had a wonderful visit and Famara said that we were now “linked for life”! This time when we left instead of a chicken they gave me a HUGE bag of salt. Joseph decided he didn’t need it (imagine that!) so Pastor N’gor is going to take it.

We made a quick stop at the village Kountoubou. This is the village that has a Manjacku chief and where PKBC (Korean church) visited in Jan. We were able to leave some photos that had been taken in Jan and we hope to return on Thurs. for a longer visit.

We also stopped at the garden in Bamacounda to visit with the women but they weren’t there. They have been very productive and have a huge crop of onions that they will sell for income. Gwen, I am going to do my best to make contact with Ida before I leave.

Monday evening I went and paid a visit to Teda, our neighbor across the street that Gwen and I have visited several times. Teda was expecting when we were here in Jan but unfortunately lost the baby at birth. She has also been quite ill and has lost a lot of weight. I had the opportunity to present creation to the cross to her again. When I asked her what she thought of the story she said she is interested in following Jesus but it is very difficult since her husband’s belief’s have already been established in the community. Please pray for her and the 2 other women of the household that they will know the Truth and the Truth will set them free.

About 8:30 Monday night, I received a call from Pastor N’gor. He had just arrived home to find Famara there. He rode his bicycle all the way in to Sedhiou loaded with a big feed sack full of bananas, papayas, and cashews. Tears just begin to flow when I even attempt to put into words the graciousness and love these dear people pour out to me!!! And, needless to say Joseph was a happy camper! More for him to eat!

Today (Tuesday) was another full day of making contacts and taking care of business contacts required for Nov and Jan’s teams. We could not ask for more favor. The Lord is blessing everywhere we go!

We started the day off at the hospital, meeting with Drs Konte and Barro. Each of them have just received promotions and are now over the entire region of Sedhiou, an estimated 475,000 people. Dr. Barro expressed that it is now our hospital as well. While visiting with Dr. Konte is was discovered that Dr Robert Ndiaye in Dakar was Dr Konte’s Professor of Opthamology. So, Dr Konte will make contact with Dr Ndiaye and make arrangements for Anastasia’s follow-up care. Thank-you Lord for your divine networking.

We also met with Fautou, the nurse from Pastor’s church who was such a help to us in Jan. She and I went in to obsserve Rosa’s dressing change this morning. There is still an area of about 4in x 6in that has not completely healed. We were able to get some more dressing materials and antibiotic ointment.

There was also another burned victim by the name of Moustapha, who is about 8 or 9 y/o. He has severe 3rd degree burns over his entire head, hands., one arm, and one leg. I was given the privilege of praying for this young lad. Please join me in fervent prayer asking the God of the Universe to be Jehovah Rapha and to touch him and take his pain away…to bring healing to his body, soul, and emotions. His father died in the fire and his sister was also burned very badly.
We then met with the Assistant Prefect over Bamacounda. We were given his full blessings and gratitude foro our work here in the Sedhiou area. He said he would accommodate us in any way that he could. After a time of prayer with him (yeah God!) we then continued to Djalndingkoto. This is the village where Opa used to live. Paul is now one of the lead deacons there and he assisted us with the medical clinic. Today Paul was in Ziguinchor so we weren’t able to see him. There were 2 other young men there, Ibrihima and Pedro, who are Manjacku believers and a part of the Manjacku Assoc. out of Dakar. This village is were the only known Manjacku church resides. The Assoc has come down to assist in trying to get some crops planted in hopes to reap a harvest that can be sold and the money be used to assist in having the scriptures translated in Manjacku. Ibrihima had work quite a bit with Lynn Harney, a New Tribes’ missionary to the Manjacku, to translate the word of God. At present they now have Genesis, Jonah, Isaiah, and Luke completed. Yeah God! I was also extremely encouraged to see that they had combined their means as a community and started the new church building that we had prayed for 2 years ago. All of the walls are up but they lack means for the roof. Today we had the opportunity to pray with them trusting Jehovah Jirah to make provision for the new roof. We also talked about some of the TrT strategy in church planting. Pastor N’gor already has the lessons translated to French so they were very receptive in trying to learn them. I was able to review the process with them and then Pastor N’gor will try to follow-up as well.

On our return home we made one more stop in Bambali to visit with the President of the Rural Community. Once again, all went well and they want to assist us in anything we need.
Once we arrived in Sedhiou we also made a quick visit to the Chief Commander of the Region’s military to thank him for the support they gave us in Jan. Of course, the first one they asked about was Larry!!! They’re anxiously waiting your arrival, grinning!
Today was definitely a day of jumping through official hoops but that in itself was not in vain. Two scripture passages came to mind.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” 1Peter 3:15

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galations 5:6

Whether it was a burned victim in the hospital or the Assistant Prefect of Sedhiou, God has proved many open doors for us to pray for the people of this area and to share the love of Christ! That’s what it is all about! HIS love manifested through us!!

For His Glorious Kingdom,
Cindy