We began Friday morning in the village of Kountobou. Claude and Jefferson each gave their personal testimonies to the men and the women. The men, women, and children then separated. Roger gave his testimony to about 10 men. The men of the village did not really understand why we were there. Once they found out it was for spiritual reasons, they were attentive to what the men had to say. Pastor Roger defined sin and then elaborated on exactly what sin is. This started a discussion amongst the men. They came back with the question “What must I do to get rid of my sin?” He began speaking about Jesus, and then the men realized it was time for their noon prayer. However, they are open and want to learn more. It took about an hour to introduce the American women to the African women and vice versa. Jennifer received her Manjack name, Rosa Marina. The women tried to hold an open discussion by asking the African women if they had any questions for us in regards to health, spiritual, social issues, etc. However, that was too broad and they would not speak openly. So, they narrowed the questions down to the food pyramid, women’s health and hygiene. They decided they wanted us to return on Monday to conduct a women’s health class. Lynnsey and I took the children to interact with them and minister to them. Lynnsey told a very animated story of Jonah and the Big Fish. She asked questions and had many correct responses from the children. Yay God! We also sang songs, played volleyball with a soccer ball, and had our usual picture taking sessions! Friday evening, we went to Kounayan Mancagne. The children greeted us with many songs. We sang some English songs in return including the number chant Mark presented to the children in November. Cindy was able to present simple hand washing. She associated germs with our sin. Washing our hands will wash away the germs. Jesus is the one who washes away our sin.

Saturday morning we started our day in Bamacounda. The chief mentioned how appreciative he is for us (medical team, pastoral team, English team, leadership team) because of the love we show to his people. Pastor Roger shared his testimony with the chief about how Jesus has changed his life. As he got to the heart of the message the distractions came. We were invited back to the village so the people could learn more. Saturday afternoon, Russell reviewed The Lordship of Jesus, Salvation by Faith Alone, and Believers Should Be Baptized by Immersion from Pastor Sam’s book with the men. Pastor Roger taught on Ephesians 5 mentioning the women’s responsibilities, but focusing mainly on the man’s responsibilities as a husband, a father, and the spiritual leader of the home. Gwen led the women’s leadership class Saturday evening by also teaching from Ephesians 5. She encouraged the women to have a Christ-like attitude toward believers, non-believers, and their husbands.

We had a special time worshipping with our fellow believers in Diadalinghoto. Jefferson Cordeiro preached from Joshua 1:1-9 and we ended the service by taking communion. The men taught on Ephesians 5 and then conducted some teaching with the sermon on the mount. Gwen taught the women on Ephesians 5. We had our first African/American tea party! Cindy gave the women beautiful hand-made scripture cards referencing Isaiah 64:8 and Jeremiah 18:6. She asked the women if they thought the cards were beautiful and they said they were. Cindy then told the women their beauty far surpassed the cards. She also asked the women if they thought the tea cups were beautiful. She told them that they didn’t always look that beautiful. They started out as a lump of clay and were molded into the beautiful tea cup. Each tea cup is unique. Just as the lump of clay was molded into a beautiful tea cup, God is molding and shaping us into beautiful godly women. The women then had their cup of tea and cookies!

The women are going to Kountobou this morning to talk to the women about health and then Bamacounda in the afternoon to present the food pyramid. The men are going back to Diadalinghoto to minister to the men. Please pray over the teaching in each village. Please pray that Holy Spirit guides and directs our every thought and action. We are showing the Jesus film in Dianke’s village, Boukiling Diolo, this evening. So, please be in prayer about that as well.

We send our love to our family and friends! Thank you for your prayers!!