November 29, 2009
The team is just finishing up our packing after a full day, our last here in Senegal. We did some work at the School for the Deaf and the feeding program for the street children/talibe kids. Then it was lunch and one last chance to shop. We have said our goodbyes to Elsie Bowler who will be staying a week longer with her son and grandchildren. As well, Kim Vaters has left for the airport where she will go on to Kenya. Please remember Judy Bowler, as her father is in the hospital in critical condition. Please remember the family in prayer. When we return we will appreciate whatever cool temperature Canada has for us and know that this heat will only be a memory.
Thank you for all your prayers, but please continue until we return. We will be arriving in Toronto on UA 7847 at 1:50 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. See you all soon!
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November 25, 2009
Monday morning we went to the Bowlers where we had orientation for our week, and it is going to be a busy one! At lunch we enjoyed a Senegalese meal. Now, that was a most unusual and first time event for all of us. Kids would love this, or moms would too as it involves everyone eating out of the same bowl and that means no dishes! You gather around a large metal bowl which is filled with chopped rice, beef pieces and cooked vegetables squash, eggplant, potato, and whole carrots The “mom” would make sure that each person would have a piece of meat on their section of dinner. Then each person would eat a pie shaped piece with their hand, from the “crust” to the point at the bottom of the bowl. It was quite fun. They did allow us to use a spoon.
Following lunch we boarded a jag-a-jar “(which is a beat up, white bus, with or without holes in the floor, and joined the throngs of traffic. Much of it was going out of town for the upcoming holiday of “Tobaski”. This should be happening when we are gone. All good Muslims purchase a sheep or a goat per working person. They must eat it all before sundown, though they do share it. There are sheep all over the city. On the way out of town today our van driver told the man in front of him to open his trunk so the sheep inside could breath. Occasionally the animal would try to push himself up as he was dying. Tomorrow will be a full day, much travel, but at the end of the day we look forward to a birthday party for one of the missionaries who will turn 50!
The team is well, working diligently and having fun in the process.
We shall soon be home.
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November 23, 2009
There is only one word to describe the weekend retreat….AMAZING!!
As 150 missionaries of 20 nationalities from 42 ministries/denominations met together there was a rich sense of God’s presence and an air of excitement and anticipation. We traveled 2 hours to Saly and arrived home safely after enjoying an air conditioned hotel on the ocean. The setting was beautiful, the food good and the missionaries so enjoyed the pool etc. Our team were certainly servants for the entire weekend with little or no spare time for relaxation. They assisted in setting up, registration, a spa, workshops, prayer and mixed so well with the people making many new friends. Our prayer of favour was certainly answered as these women were open with their lives and needs. We provided the registration bags and have quite the story of the bags we purchased for each lady. The Spa was a huge success with the women feeling pampered, special,thankful for the gifts and in awe of the chats and someone touching their lives. Many lives were challenged and touched through the Word, the testimonies and workshops of the team members. 13 girls from Dakar Academy were sponsored and Kim and the girls had wonderful times of ministry with them. This was the first Canadian team they had and I think we won their hearts.
Everyone is weary but overwhelmed with the weekend and the faithfulness of God. We switch gears this week to numerous events for women and children. We will keep in touch.
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November 20, 2009
Another two days have passed in hot sunny Dakar which means one third of our trip is over.
We spent yesterday morning at Dakar Christian Academy which is a well organized lovely educational facility and a most conducive place of learning. Most of our missionary kids along with ambassador kids and Muslims from various places in the world attend this school. It was a joy to meet the ‘house mothers’ who oversee the children who board full time at the school. The school certainly focuses on many major outreach events open to the entire community.
Later in the afternoon we were accompanied by some of our missionaries to take the ferry to Goree Island which was an interesting but sobering experience. The stories of the slaves imprisoned there were beyond human comprehension. I wondered if any families who were separated and sent all over the world ever saw each other again. This morning as we stood on the beautiful, sandy beach looking out to the island, we were captivated by the thoughts of captivity in front of us and freedom behind us. The ocean was sparkling with the waves gently hitting the shore. We shared a beautiful service of worship, prayer, and the word comparing the age and life of Jesus to the life of Jennifer as she was baptized by Kim on the western edge of Africa. This afternoon we toured SIL where the Bible is translated into 32 African languages. These people were so passionate about what they are doing that it made the place come alive.
The girls have just returned from Youth service where Kim ministered on the 3 Big Buts…..of Gideon. We are all into packing bags, preparing gifts and finalizing messages and workshops for the weekend conference.
The roads are not overly conducive to bodily injuries however survival is the daily word and it really works more effectively with some meds. Thanks for your continued prayers and especially Friday to Sunday night. We are ministering to 150 missionaries of various denominations. We need energy, anointing, clarity of thought and divine guidance. We leave early tomorrow morning and travel about 2 hours to the retreat centre. We will be in touch when we return.
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November 19, 2009
(see itinerary below)
Greetings from West Africa! The days are hot although there is a breeze today. This is not the hot season but it is hot enough for us.
It’s all about peanuts, pepper, onions and garlic…..and we have been well fed. We went as teams of two to five different churches on Sunday. The worship was lively and some withheld dancing to the beat of the bongos. Everyone returned with stories of excitement and God’s blessing.
BMX kids would love some of the roads here as the craters and mounds would not need additional grooming. Some of the highways are good but you can’t be directionally challenged as landmarks are your only way home. We have had vans, taxis…one of which broke down last night and some have even braved the jigajaw…the local bus. A missionary from England is staying in the house with us so that has been a huge blessing.
Monday and Tuesday have been spent in meetings, times of prayer and networking with individual missionaries as well as the conference team. It has been great to meet and talk after the many emails over the months. We have appreciated the warm welcome and favour. It is incredible to realize that no matter where you travel the needs and hurts of women are underlined by the same kinds of situations although circumstances may differ.
There is a women’s prayer team…4 women… here from BC & Manitoba so a number of us met together for worship and prayer last night. Dan is doing a seminar for the missionaries tonight.
We have actually had some down hours to get ourselves together and have spent several hours sharing and praying as a team. Everyone has bonded, stepped up when needed and all are well.
Blessings to all,
Senegal Team
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Please pray for Elsie Bowler, Shannon Carkner, Maureen Edwards, Jennifer MacDonald, Kimberlee Moran, Sandra Morton, Jamie Theriault, Kimberly Vaters, Dan & Donna Davies, and team leader, Sandra Gill.