Touching Lives

Today we were able to experience just a glimpse of the lives that have been touched through our efforts here in the Region of Sedhiou. Our first blessing occurred when we stopped at the school to post our blog. The cyber café has been closed down so we have to go to the local High school to post the blog. The gentleman that oversees the computer lab is one of the main leaders of prayer at the area mosque. He desired to bless us so he didn’t charge us to use the computer. I am always moved by the warmth of our reception here! Especially by those we don’t even know.

After posting the blog we then traveled to the village of Bouno. This is where Famara and Tening ( parents of the baby that died in Jan) live. Pastor N’gor had informed them that we would be coming. They said they were so excited about our anticipated arrival that no one went into the field to work.

Since my visit in April a lot had happened. Both Famara and Tening’s fathers had passed away. I had had the pleasure of meeting Tening’s father in April and was able to share the Gospel of Christ. This is always a clear reminder of why we come. Famara also shared that 300 of their banana trees had been blown over during the rainy season lending to a loss of aprox 6 tons of bananas. This was the only inheritance that he had received. He also expressed that since his parent’s passings he had “no light”. This was the open door to tell him about the Light of the World and scripture informs us that Christ is Father to the fatherless. Our visit concluded w/Sam storying Creation to the Cross to over 50 people lending their attentive ear in a 12x20 room. Then they ended with much clapping and dancing. We are always their comedy relief when we try to dance. I’ve gotta tell ya…Pam had the moves down! Last but not least I am always so overwhelmed by their extreme generosity. My “flock of chickens” have increased by two and we were also given a full stock of bananas!

After our delightful visit there we traveled to Kountounbou. This is where the village chief is Mandyak. He had just come in form the field. We where are to visit briefly and arrange a visit for Thursday morning.

The highlight of our day was stopping at Immanuel Mendy’s house on the way back to Sedhiou. After all of the formal greetings I had the opportunity of asking him how he had been doing since his baptism on Easter Sunday. He proceeded in his own words to tell us that he now knows that Jesus is the one True God. He further explained that before he knew Christ he had ongoing nightmares that included the Kankounrg but since his conversion he only has good dreams. This was also extremely moving for Joseph because he said he had also been delivered from severe nightmares when he accepted Christ. The Kankounrg is a character that represents evil and hostility and he dresses in a red straw suit running through the village w/a machete. He plays some type of role in the tradition for circumcision but it has been difficult for us to clarify exactly what it is. But it was so evident that Immanuel is a changed man. It was also exciting to hear him share his story without reservation among several nonbelievers. Yeah God!

It was a full day with many blessings! We are so grateful for all that HE has done!

For His Kingdom,

Cindy