There's nothing that says home better than a back yard bbq!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
My Host
For a missionary housing is always needed when coming back to the USA for a short period of time. I am so thankful to be welcomed into the home of my friend Tricia in Syracuse, NY.
So how does a missionary spend their time on furlough?
Speaking at Finding Faith Onondaga Community College
Enjoying the sunshine with Sarah in Thorndon Park
Making attai tea in America
Dinner at the Men's HouseWhile I am home in the USA this year I want to post some photos about how I am spending my time. Everyday starts out for me with office work. Staying in touch with supporters, family and friends is so important to me. I am busy working on messages to share at kinships and churches, writing letters and making business appointments. Usually my day finishes out by spending time with people. Just as my life in Senegal is built around my relationships with the family and neighbors in my village here my life is very much the same. I am thoroughly enjoying the time I am able to spend with all of my family and friends here in New York State.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Paris, France
After spending two and half years in Senegal my language skills have improved considerable. With many thanks to the prayers of family and friends and the power of Christ.
When I came to Senegal in 2008 I came with a one way ticket, knowing I would be there for more than a year. I decided on my return journey to America I would pass through France, putting language learning to the test. April 9-17th, 2009 I was able to spend a week in Paris and a few days in Lyon, France. To my amazing discovery I could communicate well with those around me. The visit left me negotiating the metro, maps, city streets, restaurants, museums and life with locals all in a foreign language. God is merciful to new language learners and the trip was blessed with great communication. Even to a greater extent I was able to immerse in conversation to know people better. This was an amazing experience for me and a real
confidence builder in the process God has taken me through to learn French. I have a long way to go to become more fluent in the language. But I am thankful to have come so far.
When I came to Senegal in 2008 I came with a one way ticket, knowing I would be there for more than a year. I decided on my return journey to America I would pass through France, putting language learning to the test. April 9-17th, 2009 I was able to spend a week in Paris and a few days in Lyon, France. To my amazing discovery I could communicate well with those around me. The visit left me negotiating the metro, maps, city streets, restaurants, museums and life with locals all in a foreign language. God is merciful to new language learners and the trip was blessed with great communication. Even to a greater extent I was able to immerse in conversation to know people better. This was an amazing experience for me and a real
confidence builder in the process God has taken me through to learn French. I have a long way to go to become more fluent in the language. But I am thankful to have come so far.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Every great voyage has it's end
We left this morning back to reality. What a wonderful trip I had. There is nothing like bringing Jesus to someone who never had the chance to meet him before.
A breakfast of Oysters
Oysters are plentiful on the island we stayed. Our last morning everyone delved into a gift of Oysters roasted on our campfire.
Campfire Tales
It was so cold on the islands. Every morning and evening we sat around the campfire. Stories were told, there was so much laughter as we warmed ourselves by the fires heat. The mega voice was always present, to hear the word of God in Jola. What amazing fellowship I shared around this fiery wood.
Trip to the Islands
This is the boat Marcel and I think would be great for our island ministry. We'll need this and a sturdy Yamaha motor. Anybody want to buy one for us?
Sharing Christ through Mega Voice
Mega Voice is a project of Senegal Linguistics. They recorded someone reading the Jola New Testament and put it on an MP 3 player. It recharges with sunlight or electricity. It's a great tool for people who do not know how to read. Like our friend in the next photos.
Trip to the Islands
Sunday March 29th - 31st, Pastors and young people from the Oussouye Church and Pastor Offie Bolie from Ziguinchor visited several islands in our region. It's been our vision for a long time to spend some days on these islands teaching people about Jesus and praying. This trip we landed on Vendaye and stayed there with a family. Monday we traveled to Itou, Diague and Karabane. We returned to Vendaye in the evening and shared the Gospel some more there. Then we left early Tuesday back to Elinkine and finally home. This trip was absolutely amazing. Everyone is catching vision for this unreached land. We handed out Bibles to people who had never held one in their hands, preached Jesus to so many people who have never heard about the Grace of Jesus Christ. One old man who would sit with us continually at the home we were staying in, loved listening to the New Testament on the MEGA VOICE. Hearing about Jesus in his own Jola language. You could watch his eyes bug out during different parts. During the story of the woman caught in adultery, he ssshhhh'd us all so he could hear it clearly. On Itou, Jerome told a group of 20 school children about Jesus.
This was my first visit to Diague and that place reminds me of Elinkine and Cap Skirring rolled into one. It's a fishing villages with people from all over Senegal and West Africa. Each bringing his own religion, idolatry, drugs, prostitutes and everything else. The place is dark and chaotic. Many people shared with us that there are no fish and the river is moving into their village. We prayed there and shared the gospel with only a few.
Our stop in Karabane was brief and just meant so that everyone could walk around and see the place. It's more of a tourist island. But it happened to be a cool stop for me. I saw one of the boys who is always at my house on Wednesdays. I had forgotten he was from Karaban. This was great because I met his whole family.
The trip was truely amazing and God blessed it in every way.
This was my first visit to Diague and that place reminds me of Elinkine and Cap Skirring rolled into one. It's a fishing villages with people from all over Senegal and West Africa. Each bringing his own religion, idolatry, drugs, prostitutes and everything else. The place is dark and chaotic. Many people shared with us that there are no fish and the river is moving into their village. We prayed there and shared the gospel with only a few.
Our stop in Karabane was brief and just meant so that everyone could walk around and see the place. It's more of a tourist island. But it happened to be a cool stop for me. I saw one of the boys who is always at my house on Wednesdays. I had forgotten he was from Karaban. This was great because I met his whole family.
The trip was truely amazing and God blessed it in every way.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
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