Where to begin?

Where to begin!?! It’s hard to believe that it has 4 days since we left home. God has been so gracious! Our initial travel could not have gone better. We made all of our connections, had extra space to recline on the plane, and arrived w/all of our luggage in hand!!! Yeah God! Friday was a full day of taking care of business matters but it ended with an inspiring visit to ICRD. The children have only been back in school for about two weeks but had prepared 4 different songs for us. One young lady sang “I Will Never Be the Same Again” in English. Needless to say, I was moved to tears.

Saturday morning we got on the road about 6:00. It was an uneventful travel until Kaolack. We stopped at an ATM to see if it would work w/our cards. When Mamadou try to restart the van he had difficulty placing it in gear. As Sam would say, “it just so happened” that there was a mechanic’s garage less than a block down the road. It ended up taking us about 3 hours to get it fixed and were then back on the road. This granted us the opportunity to make some new friends and have a great time singing and interacting w/the kids.

We then proceeded about 2-3 miles, only to be delayed another hour or so on a bridge due to road construction. I had just made the comment that God must either be protecting us from something ahead or He was trying to teach us something…when all of a sudden we looked up and here came Joseph walking with three “Toubobs”. It ended up that it was the Ridgecrest team (our partnering church from St. Charles) returning from the Gambia. They were stuck on the opposite side of the bridge. We decided that this was the perfect opportunity to have prayer for the work that God was doing among the Mandyak. So, the 5 women join hearts and hands and had prayer there on the bridge. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a picture of that but it is an image that I will never forget. God is so good! Shortly after our prayer meeting was over the roadway open and we began the final journey to the river house. We arrived around 8:30 safe and sound…with our tails dragging.

The rainy season has been so plentiful this year that the bush and vegetation is bigger than I have ever seen. I don’t know that Pam and Roger are convinced that we haven’t been telling “stories” all this time! God blessed us with a major rain storm the first night providing us a cool breeze to sleep. Sam has a story that he is eager to tell about me mud wrestling…I give him the honors at a future date!

Yesterday (Sunday) was a day of blessings and surprises. For once, our leader was estimating church by African time and it actually started by American timeL! So, I started the day off in trouble. Imagine that! Mark, Sam has a new and fresh appreciation for you!!! Scott T., aren’t you relieved!?!

The worship service was wonderful and such a time of blessings. Once again, words just are too inadequate to convey our experience. Pastor Roger did a great job w/his first African sermon! I think it was the shortest sermon he has ever preached! Teehee! But of course he says that that was because we were late and it was the longest worship w/much dancing and celebration that we have ever had!!! It was truly wonderful…and Roger will teach dance steps when we get home.

One of our surprises was that the President of the Mandyak Association had traveled from Dakar to worship w/us there in Djalindekoto. It provided a special time for Pastors Sam and Roger to talk about our church planting efforts and upcoming strategy.

One of our biggest blessings was to worship in their new church building. Three years ago January, Sam and I had the privilege of worshiping in their old church. One of their requests was for us to pray over their new land. We walked that land and claimed Joshua 1: 3, “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses”.
God has brought that to full fruition for the building. When we were here in April the walls were constructed and we prayed for His provision for the roof. Now the roof is complete! Yeah God!!!! It is such an encouragement to see how God is faithful through the efforts of His people.

One of our saddest moments was the opportunity to pray for Paul’s nephew. He is about 3 y/o and is obviously blind. To our knowledge he has not had any medical consultations. Fortunately, we know who the Great Physician is and we prayed for His healing power and manifestation in this young child’s life.

After the service we then gathered for food and fellowship at Paul’s house (one of the deacon’s in the church). It was a sweet time of fellowship and “doing hair”. DeeDee, I hate to tell you, but you might have some competition here!...grinning.

God also provided an unexpected opportunity for us to talk to Opa. Later in the afternoon the Pastors were able to meet with Paul. God graciously confirmed that the leadership decisions that were made on previous trips were all a part of HIS divine plan. Some of you may not remember, but two years ago this upcoming January, Calvary was asked to pray regarding some of these decisions. God has heard our cries and has been faithful to answer. Up to this point we have had to accept some things by faith. Now we see things much clearer and have a deeper understanding.

I would like to leave you with that challenge that we were given yesterday by the Youth Pastor of the Mandyak Association.

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” Phil 1:27-28.

To our families, we miss and love you very much.
Cindy