It Just So Happens

Sent by Sam via email:

God continues to engineer meetings and events as opportunities to glorify Himself. Today has been no exception. Last night while teaching in Pastor Ngom’s church, I received a call from Jefferson Cordiero, of New Tribes Mission. He was on a bus to travel through the night so that he could arrive earlier here in Sedhiou. He did arrive at noon instead of late this evening. Jefferson once lived in Sedhiou and was assigned to work with the Manjack. He was going on furlough in the spring of 2005 and had relocated to Dakar in preparation of going back to Brazil. With only ten days left for furlough, his wife died of a heart attack. Since then, our Father has led him through a healing process, a new romance and marriage, and a return to Senegal. Today was a blessing to watch him and the Manjack peoples relate to each other.

Had Jefferson caught the early bus this morning, then he would have missed the two visits we had planned for today. One was to Bouno where we visited with the family that lost a child during the clinic in January of 2009. This “family” has 142 people … I think most of them were gathered around us in an open room off the porch. They seemed to close out any breeze that might come. However, it was better than in October because I was sitting near the window where I could catch an occasional breeze. Cindy didn’t have such luxury. J

Before we left we asked if we could pray for this special family. After we finished praying the Imam (Muslim priest/teacher asked why we did not pray in the name of Mohammad. Pastor Ngom had a quick response which covered a gospel presentation (from creation to the cross!) and concluded it with the fact that we are instructed to pray in Jesus name for His blessings. Afterwards, the Imam invited Larry to his house. Larry took Emmanuel Mendy with him for a translator! … Emmanuel speaks VERY limited English! It was amazing after they got on the van; Jefferson helped process the experience for them. It seemed that somehow, it just so happened, that Emmanuel understood enough to share just about what Larry said. While we were waiting on Larry and Emmanuel, the rest of the family danced for us just outside of the van.

Coming back from Bouno, we stopped at Kountoubou to visit the chief and his family. This is the village that is primarily Manjack and the chief is Manjack. We shared greetings, even sang some songs, which always leads to dancing. A couple of the old women danced along with Cindy and Larry … well they sort of moved there feet and wiggled a little to the delight of our hosts. We presented them a soccer ball and shared the meaning of the different colors. Afterwards, it just so happened that one of the men stated he would like to hear more. Larry then took the walking stick of one of the old women (she was sitting down) and presented an evangelistic witness using lines drawn in the dirt. After this we prayed that God would lead. Cindy asked if he, Nicholo (spelling ??), had any questions. He asked about praying without going to the witch doctor. Joseph shared his testimony and then Claude shared his. Both of these were powerful. Jefferson was doing the translating and was having a great day. He believes that Nicholo has started the process to make a stand for the Lord Jesus. As we broke up to leave, I asked that they share my regrets for not seeing Yusuf, who was at a funeral. Yusuf led the first team around Sedhiou. I think that he is the first African that Billy Millikan allowed to hold his hand while walking around town.

Well it so happened on the way back out the main road, who did we meet? Yes, it was Yusuf. We stopped and had a time of hugging and greeting. While we were making a plan for him and me to get together tomorrow, a man came up on a bicycle. It seemed that he was a professor at a local college here in Sedhiou. He asked if he could ride with us. From the way he was sweating, we agreed and put his bicycle on the rack a top of the van. In the van he sat behind Jefferson. He asked Jefferson if we were the same people who held the medical clinic in Bamakounda. Jefferson replied that we were. He stated that he was Muslim and they did nothing as we had done. Then he asked “why” we had been willing to leave America to come to Africa and this remote area to do a free medical clinic for the needs of the people. Jefferson simply told him that it was because of the love of Jesus that compelled us to do such things. The professor simply stated I feel something different here. Claude then began a witness as we traveled. Upon leaving the van, he said, “I need to learn more about this. There is a pastor across the river to whom I will talk about these things.”

Yes, it was a “It just so happened” day.