Heart to Heart
Seven time zones, over 17,000 miles flown, 6 flights with multiple disruptions on the trip over to Dakar, but a much smoother ride on the way back (via Paris). Friends, it’s no small thing to take a team to West Africa!
But the trip was so worth the effort!! Phil, Bruce, Keaton, Gabi & I are so much richer and blessed, for having gone. We got to see our amazing IW teams in action, and our appreciation for them just grew even more. At the same time, we built new relationships with our national Senegalese brothers & sisters, that we trust will grow over time and strengthen this partnership. Another highlight of the trip was being able to spend time with the “MKs” (missionary kids). If you think raising kids is challenging here in the States, try another culture, with two other languages beyond your heart language, and the daunting task of helping your kids navigate how to live for Christ, in a place where the dominant religion is often hostile toward your faith.
I can assure you, however, that the Senegalese people we met and spent time with (whether they were Christians or “cousins”), were amazingly hospitable and very gracious to us. We enjoyed awesome meals, experienced many memorable “cultural moments”, and often found ourselves laughing at ourselves as we tried to remember the right word to say – Wow – wow!
We ministered to our IWs at a Retreat Night, early in our time there. We also got our hands dirty, helping build and weld a water tower for the Sport Center (for the village outreach), serving alongside our IWs in the Talibe ministry, had team members provide wound care, blood pressure tests, and encouragement to those who serve at the Girl’s Center. Phil taught some basic mechanic skills to the students at the Boy’s Center, and Pastor Adriaan & Bruce shared God’s Word with them before their class started. Once we drove back to Dakar, the guys got a fishing trip in with men from the Fishing Village, and we got a much more detailed picture of the challenges facing that group of people. On Sunday, Pastor Phil spoke (in French) at a Senegalese church, and brought a great message on Hope from Romans 15:13.
Sunday afternoon, we enjoyed a photo safari to the Bandia Game Preserve. On Monday, we ventured into downtown Dakar in search of souvenirs and had a great lunch at a place connected to someone who took a leadership seminar from other Alliance IWs. Then it was time for another adventure as we made our way to the airport and got ready for the long flight home.
We are committed to nurturing this global partnership, and look forward to having other people join future teams, as we continue to invest in what God is doing in West Africa.
Grateful to be teamed together with you – Pastor A <><